We’ve all been there...With increasing airport security measures and regulations, it seems each time I travel I am “re-educated” on the latest standards. My recent vacation was no exception.
With my departing flight for the trip, I was left completely amazed and speechless, as I cruised through both check-in and security in 20 minutes. So the morning of my return flight, I re-packed everything the same way, anticipating a hassle-free return. Check-in went smoothly once again, and I stepped up on the escalator heading toward security, sighing with relief that soon I would be seated at my gate.
Alas, my celebration was premature. As I went through security, my “re-education” came after first surviving the process of “stripping” to bear feet and removing my hat with embarrassment to reveal my rumpled hair. It was then that I was informed that even though my face cleanser fit into the specified zip-lock bag, the container itself exceeded the new ounce limit.
Needless to say, I was absolutely frustrated! The same zip-lock bag and cleanser had made it through security without so much as a raised eye-brow on my departing flight. I had specifically packed it as a carry-on item, so that if my suitcases were lost or arrived late, I’d at least be able to care for my skin.
Yet here they were, telling me that I would not be able to continue through security with it. I proceeded to discuss, with a bit too much “enthusiasm” in my voice, how my bag was already checked. The cleanser was not cheap and I was not about to throw it into the trash can. I was told my only option was to check it in my suitcase, if it hadn’t gone through security yet. Determination rose within me. So back down the escalator I headed, re-visiting the check-in counter and pleading with them to locate my suitcase so my cleanser wouldn’t be confiscated. They resisted initially. However, there is something to be said for prayer and persistence. Eventually, one of the ladies gave in and said she would go attempt to find my bag, even though “it’s against policy.” And finally, when I was just about to give up hope, she re-appeared with my bag in tow.
As we travel through life, isn’t it interesting the lengths the devil will go to in an attempt to steal our joy? I mean, here I was, rested and relaxed from a wonderful vacation, and he was trying to rob me of my delight on my first day back. What a sick pleasure! I actually pity a being who lives to ruin the lives of others. He is a thief who is never satisfied. Joy, peace, and meaning will always be out of his reach, so he strives to keep them out of ours.
Yet while I can pity his voidness, I refuse to keep silent about his attempted robbery. I will expose him for the crook he is!
What ways has he been attempting to steal your joy lately? What ways has he been trying to rob you of your peace? He will cleverly try to mask his schemes, leading us to apparent “security” and then snatching pieces of our hearts and minds when we least expect it.
In my own life, he tries to keep me unceasingly busy, urging me to believe that when I finally “catch up” in my “to do list” and projects, then I’ll be secure and at peace. However, when I step back and honestly look at this reasoning, I see that no matter how much time passes or how many things I get done, more things step up to fill the place of those I accomplish. Furthermore, I am young and single now–life will by no means get simpler once I’m married and have kids.
Thus, though it is a long process, I’m praying for God to enable me to reclaim the peace and joy the devil has stolen from my life through busyness. I’m praying for God to show me what things to let go of and how to spend my time day by day, so that I don’t put off truly living and enjoying the beauty of the moment, like a check I will one day cash in. I’m praying for Him to help me prioritize, and schedule in time for relaxation each day, not packing my schedule so full to the gills that it is whirlpool I struggle to breathe in. For there are no guarantees of the future. Each day is a gift.
Another way the devil tries to fool me is in the realm of beauty. This is one of his biggest conspiracies. All around the world and across the country he whispers lies to women that we don’t measure up in some way. He attacks from every angle–too fat or too skinny, too pale or too dark, too short or too tall, hair that’s too curly or too straight, wrinkles, blemishes, and the list could go on and on. Everywhere we turn there are pictures, magazines, or movies of air brushed, “perfected” beauties. He converges all of these avenues to convey a single message: “Beauty equals security and it is within your grasp.” We are flooded with an exhaustless list of how we can reach this–creams, lotions, new hairstyles or color, the latest fashions, diets and exercises, manicures, pedicures, waxing of every area imaginable, teeth whitening, tanning or tanning creams, facials, body wraps and peels, make-up for each feature of our face, and cosmetic surgeries of every kind.
I do not share these to condemn them–in fact I have tried and continue to access many of them. Yet I have found that in almost every case, the security I was aiming for never comes or is short lived, whether it was a new outfit, new lip gloss, or a fresh haircut and color. Just like in the airport, the devil portrays the illusion of “security,” while he confiscates our joy and peace. He presses in with a perpetual need for just a little bit more, or burdens and overwhelms with maintaining standards of beauty when we do achieve them. He himself is miserable and he is determined that we will share in his misery and restlessness.
Perhaps your resistence is strong in the area of beauty. If so, I guarantee he is attempting to make you feel inadequate in other areas of life. He makes hollow promises of security relating to enough money, enough knowledge, enough success at work and at home, enough friends, enough possessions, enough intimacy, and more. He will use any distraction to keep us so wrapped up in striving that we fail to notice him pick-pocketing us of our hearts and souls.
Additionally, he will send tragedies, illness, heartache and hardship our way. He is just that obsessed with stealing the fire in our eyes, the glow in our smile, and the warmth and life in our hearts. He never plays fair, attacking some of the most loving and caring people I know, while not laying a hand on the cruel.
I don’t hold an easy, light-switch formula in my hands for dealing with any of the devil’s conspiracies, whether it relates to busyness, beauty, measuring up, or heartache. Until his time is up, he will continue hounding us to hand over our “ounces” of joy and peace. But this hope I do cling to: the same God who cared enough to pull strings for me to be able to check my face cleanser at the airport, cares dimensions more about seeing to it that joy and peace stay within our possession! He can and will break the chains that bind us! He died, so that we might be restored. Friends, I believe with all my heart, that if we will keep coming to Him on a regular basis, asking Him to set us free and make us whole, He will do so! He’s promised to–“He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” He declares, “I have come that they might have life, and that they may have it more abundantly” (John 10:10b). May He rescue your joy and peace. May He fill your life with true meaning and purpose. May He turn the devil’s attacks into illustrations and stories to share about His love, power and faithfulness. May He reminds us all that there is something to be said for prayer and persistence–persistence in seeking Him and leaving our lives and hearts in His hands.
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Quality Time At Christmas (Christmas Link 2008)
It seems most of life’s greatest parallels, life’s greatest lessons, come when we least expect them. Such is the case for me tonight. I’m home for the holidays at my parent’s place in Walla, Walla, WA. Winter has hit hard here this year with about 3 feet of unforeseen snow.
My dad has picked up a second occupation–official snow shoveler for our surrounding neighbors and family living in the area. He’s put long hours into clearing out driveways, walkways, and the roofs of covered car ports that were threatening to cave under their load of snow. Additionally, tonight I heard him saying that if my brother decides to come home, he will do whatever it takes to make sure he can have his own private space in their RV. He will do this, regardless of if the freezing weather has caused any damage in the lines that he has to fix.
As I overheard him saying this, my heart sank. Selfishness crept up within me. I wanted to say “Dad, even though you’ve been helping people, you haven’t been around much, and now you’re going to be gone working on the RV, yet another day? Time is passing so quickly and soon I’ll be heading home. I flew all the way over here to see you. Can’t we please spend some quality time together?”
Then tears fill my eyes as Jesus grips my soul with His words:
“Linds, even though you’ve been reaching out to and helping people over the holidays, you haven’t been around much. There’s still presents to wrap, cards to write, phone calls to make and people to visit–will you be gone yet another day? Time is passing so quickly and soon you’ll be heading back to work. I came all the way from heaven to Bethlehem to see you. Can’t we please spend some quality time together?”
Wow!! There’s the true meaning of Christmas, from a fresh angle, but just as moving! The God of the universe came all the way down to our meager planet, just to see and be with us! Jesus left His throne and family for 33 years, enduring heartache and trials we can’t begin to grasp, all in an effort to say, “Do you see how much I love you? Do you recognize how much you mean to Me?” No weather, airports, traffic, or lines we brave, no expense we undergo to be with our families over the holidays, could even begin to hold a candle to the sacrifice He made!
His heart has not changed. His desire remains the same. To each and every heart that will listen, comes His plea again this Christmas: “Can’t we please spend some quality time together? I came here just to be with you! They had no room for Me at the inn 2,000 years ago. Will you make room for Me? Time is passing quickly and I’ll be flying home soon.”
Our Heavenly Brother, the Best Friend we could ever ask for, is aching to spend time with us! His heart sinks when he learns of our jam-packed schedules. With a lump in His throat and misty eyes He quietly says, “You haven’t been around much. Will you be gone yet another day?”
It’s time to rearrange our priorities. As He blows out His candles this birthday, let’s make His wish come true! In light of His great sacrifice and love for us, it’s the least we can do!
My dad has picked up a second occupation–official snow shoveler for our surrounding neighbors and family living in the area. He’s put long hours into clearing out driveways, walkways, and the roofs of covered car ports that were threatening to cave under their load of snow. Additionally, tonight I heard him saying that if my brother decides to come home, he will do whatever it takes to make sure he can have his own private space in their RV. He will do this, regardless of if the freezing weather has caused any damage in the lines that he has to fix.
As I overheard him saying this, my heart sank. Selfishness crept up within me. I wanted to say “Dad, even though you’ve been helping people, you haven’t been around much, and now you’re going to be gone working on the RV, yet another day? Time is passing so quickly and soon I’ll be heading home. I flew all the way over here to see you. Can’t we please spend some quality time together?”
Then tears fill my eyes as Jesus grips my soul with His words:
“Linds, even though you’ve been reaching out to and helping people over the holidays, you haven’t been around much. There’s still presents to wrap, cards to write, phone calls to make and people to visit–will you be gone yet another day? Time is passing so quickly and soon you’ll be heading back to work. I came all the way from heaven to Bethlehem to see you. Can’t we please spend some quality time together?”
Wow!! There’s the true meaning of Christmas, from a fresh angle, but just as moving! The God of the universe came all the way down to our meager planet, just to see and be with us! Jesus left His throne and family for 33 years, enduring heartache and trials we can’t begin to grasp, all in an effort to say, “Do you see how much I love you? Do you recognize how much you mean to Me?” No weather, airports, traffic, or lines we brave, no expense we undergo to be with our families over the holidays, could even begin to hold a candle to the sacrifice He made!
His heart has not changed. His desire remains the same. To each and every heart that will listen, comes His plea again this Christmas: “Can’t we please spend some quality time together? I came here just to be with you! They had no room for Me at the inn 2,000 years ago. Will you make room for Me? Time is passing quickly and I’ll be flying home soon.”
Our Heavenly Brother, the Best Friend we could ever ask for, is aching to spend time with us! His heart sinks when he learns of our jam-packed schedules. With a lump in His throat and misty eyes He quietly says, “You haven’t been around much. Will you be gone yet another day?”
It’s time to rearrange our priorities. As He blows out His candles this birthday, let’s make His wish come true! In light of His great sacrifice and love for us, it’s the least we can do!
What's Cookin? (April Link 2008)
I came up with a grand idea at Christmas–a grand idea that I would bake cookies and treats to give to people to show how much I care. So I carefully selected 4 to 5 scrumptious-sounding recipes and went about the necessary preparations. I took great care to purchase the exact ingredients called for, and even picked up red saran wrap and adorable tins, to cover and send the goodies in.
I put off the cooking until the last day or two possible, however, because I was intimidated. When I finally buckled down, spread out the ingredients and recipes, and began mixing up what was called for, I discovered Martha Stewart’s shoes didn’t fit the way I’d anticipated they would! In fact, they didn’t fit at all! Everything I attempted flopped. The macaroons weren’t sweet enough, the peppermint cookies were too hard or too soft, the fudge tasted burnt, and I didn’t even try to make the gingerbread angel cookies with lemon frosting, because I was so frustrated and discouraged!
To my defense, I will say that I was missing a few key appliances/tools that the recipes called for. I didn’t have an electric mixer or a double boiler. I reasoned that everything could still work, because people have been baking and making desserts long before all of our modern technology. I can see now, however, that there’s reasons why specific appliances are called for in the recipes, and if you don’t follow what they say, you can’t expect the same results they describe and achieve.
As I reflect on this story now, I’m actually chuckling to myself. But at the time, when my grand idea splattered up in my face, I was devastated to the point of tears. It was an enormous lesson for me to learn in letting go and opened up my eyes to a rich perspective on life.
Can you relate at all to my experience? Perhaps you haven’t flopped with cooking, but some other aspect of your life hasn’t or isn’t turning out the way you’d hoped, planned, or anticipated. Like me, you may have started out with the best of intentions or gone about the necessary prep work. Then somehow, somewhere along the way, everything fell apart.
What I want you and I both to know is that we are not failures! Many, actually most talents, goals and dreams, don’t come easily. Virtually nothing worthwhile is achieved overnight–whether it be weight loss, organization, grades, career goals, balance between relaxation and productivity, financial stability, managing the responsibilities of a home, or strong relationships with our family, friends and God. Yet how quick we are to run ourselves into the ground when results don’t happen right away! How quick we are to believe that it’s a lost cause and we’ll never get there. Our “cookies” don’t turn out and we’re ready to give up altogether.
Wouldn’t it be foolish for me to never try baking again, because I had one disappointing experience? Even as I sit here writing this, I can already hear several of you responding “don’t give up, Lindsey–you’ll be a great cook. We’ve all made mistakes.”
And I will turn that same encouragement back to you! Whatever it is you’re facing and discouraged about, DON’T GIVE UP! Persevere, pray, and you will get there! YOU ARE NOT A FAILURE! Ask God, as I am now, to enable us to let ourselves off the hook of having everything we are aiming for together right this moment. We have such high expectations for ourselves for fast and quick results and success. It’s just not realistic. May you and I both recognize and respect ourselves for even trying, and acknowledge that we are learning and growing through the process! CHANGE TAKES TIME! As we practice or invest time and energy in our goals, we will discover one of three things: It’s actually something we are able to do well in; we need to keep “cooking” but try a different “recipe;” or we gave it our best shot and found that it may never be our thing, but we learned valuable lessons for life during the process.
Here’s a few other lessons/parallels I learned through my baking experience...
Some “Baking Tips” for Life (none of which I’ve mastered–all of which I’m praying God will grow me in):
-When we take on too much, we set ourselves up for failure. Start small!
-Starting off with the right ingredients is essential, but the quality of effort and amount of time invested are equally as important.
-When we put things off because of our fears or feelings of inadequacy, ironically the odds are dramatically increased that what we are dreading becomes our reality.
-Don’t be afraid to get messy or to make a mess. Dive in wholeheartedly!
-We need the right Mixer (God), to blend everything together–life “by hand” doesn’t work and is utterly draining and exhausting!
-Be prepared to wait–almost everything takes time to rise (or to solidify, like fudge).
-Though we want to naturally be gourmet in what we attempt, it’s valuable to remember that if everything came easy for us all the time, we wouldn’t need each other–we wouldn’t need God.
-Sometimes the best concoctions and discoveries come from “mistakes” and experimenting.
-Ask God and trusted friends for recipes or helpful tips they’d recommend (in all avenues and aspects of daily living). Better yet, involve them in the “baking process,” and cook together!
-Likewise, once you discover a great recipe, share it with others and/or help them “bake!”
-Often times laughter really is “the best medicine,” when things flop or fly up in our face. Ask, “Is there any humor in the situation?” (Sometimes the funniest thing I find is how worked up I allow myself to get over something that is actually small, in the grand scheme of things! A friend’s perspective can also provide humorous insights. My close friend Diane had me exploding in laughter, when she took a bite of one of my hard cookies, in the middle of my baking drama!) :P
-Don’t be afraid to try again! (Remember, it took Thomas Edison 2,000 attempts to successfully invent the light bulb. Yet now, the world is lit up, because of his persistence).
-Lastly, from personal experience I have found that God’s recipes (for life, circumstances, and the future) are always the most fabulous> but He usually only gives them to us one step at a time!
So pick up your wooden spoon, wire whisk, or electric mixer, and stir it up!!
P.S. An extra tidbit for my “single sistas” or anyone else who’s waiting on some aspect of their future:
I’m sure you’ve all seen or experienced a mom teaching her little girl how to cook something, and involving her in the process. Now picture God inviting us to join Him in the kitchen to help Him cook up a fabulous recipe–one we’ve never tried. Let that little child in you come out–that little child who used to get excited about new experiences and the unknown. Then choose to trust the Cook. Measure what He says. Stir when he asks. And don’t be afraid to ask for a taste--to lick the spoon! :) Get ready for incredible aromas to fill the air and whet your appetite!
P.S.S. 2 promises:
“Let Him have all your worries and cares, for He is always thinking about you and watching everything that concerns you.” I Peter 5:7
“The eyes of man can’t see, his ears can’t hear and his mind can’t imagine what God has in mind for those who love Him!” I Corinthians 2:9
Drowning (Dec. Link 2007)
What do you do when your heart’s broken–when you don’t want to get up in the morning? How much can one heart take? How many times after getting struck down, can one continue to rise again?
There comes a point when the shattered pieces feel like they are un-mendable, irreparable. People say the tide will change, a new day will come...But when you’re in a soul griping, heart wrenching whirlpool, in the blackest of nights, hope seems galaxies away!
You’re too exhausted, too broken to cry out for help. You can only whisper, and it’s so faint that the sound of one tear dropping drowns it out.
But Someone hears. Things may not make sense. Pain may surround and envelope us. Tears may pour out til they run dry. Sobs may explode from our souls.
Someone hears.
Someone is listening.
Someone is there holding us when we’ve lost all sensation to feel His arms around us.
Someone cares, though everything exhibited argues that He doesn’t.
His shoulders are broad enough to handle our anger. Even when we pull away, feeling betrayed, He remains, waiting for us to let Him hold and comfort us again. He will be there waiting, no matter how much time and space we need.
There is an incomprehensible battle going on. The evil forces of our lifelong enemy are stirring up horrendous hurricanes, in an attempt to overturn our boat and hold us beneath the waves until we perish. Right now I’m battered, freezing, gasping for air, and crying out with the disciples, “Lord, don’t you care if we drown?”
And whether I believe it or not, He is still able to calm the storm and save me. He hasn’t changed, though it feels like He has. His power is still mightier. His compassion still beats strong. He did not bring or cause the storm, though He may have allowed it. The story of Job is a lifesaver thrown my way–a lifesaver I’m clinging to that there will come a point where God will step in and the words “Satan, your time is up,” will thunderously rumble from His mouth.
He is the Head of the Coastguard. He’s spotted me. He’s heard my cry to be rescued--to be saved. If you are in the water too, if waves have pounded you and left you exhausted, aching and worn out, join me as we cling to the life preserver that the sands of the devil’s hourglass are dropping. His time will run out!
I anticipate the day when you join me as we burry our toes beneath warm sand and bask in the sunlight on heaven’s seashores, recalling far off memories of the devil’s pitiful attempts to snatch us from the hand of our Savior! He’s just no match! Never has been! Never could be!
3 promises to claim:
“He will call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him and honor him. With a long life I will satisfy him and let him see My salvation.”Psalm 91:14-16
“Even to your old age and gray hairs I am He, I am He who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.”Isaiah 46:3 & 4
“...Neither shall any man pluck them out of My hand. My Father who gave them Me, is greater than all, and no man is able to pluck them out of My Father’s hand.”John 10:28 & 29
There comes a point when the shattered pieces feel like they are un-mendable, irreparable. People say the tide will change, a new day will come...But when you’re in a soul griping, heart wrenching whirlpool, in the blackest of nights, hope seems galaxies away!
You’re too exhausted, too broken to cry out for help. You can only whisper, and it’s so faint that the sound of one tear dropping drowns it out.
But Someone hears. Things may not make sense. Pain may surround and envelope us. Tears may pour out til they run dry. Sobs may explode from our souls.
Someone hears.
Someone is listening.
Someone is there holding us when we’ve lost all sensation to feel His arms around us.
Someone cares, though everything exhibited argues that He doesn’t.
His shoulders are broad enough to handle our anger. Even when we pull away, feeling betrayed, He remains, waiting for us to let Him hold and comfort us again. He will be there waiting, no matter how much time and space we need.
There is an incomprehensible battle going on. The evil forces of our lifelong enemy are stirring up horrendous hurricanes, in an attempt to overturn our boat and hold us beneath the waves until we perish. Right now I’m battered, freezing, gasping for air, and crying out with the disciples, “Lord, don’t you care if we drown?”
And whether I believe it or not, He is still able to calm the storm and save me. He hasn’t changed, though it feels like He has. His power is still mightier. His compassion still beats strong. He did not bring or cause the storm, though He may have allowed it. The story of Job is a lifesaver thrown my way–a lifesaver I’m clinging to that there will come a point where God will step in and the words “Satan, your time is up,” will thunderously rumble from His mouth.
He is the Head of the Coastguard. He’s spotted me. He’s heard my cry to be rescued--to be saved. If you are in the water too, if waves have pounded you and left you exhausted, aching and worn out, join me as we cling to the life preserver that the sands of the devil’s hourglass are dropping. His time will run out!
I anticipate the day when you join me as we burry our toes beneath warm sand and bask in the sunlight on heaven’s seashores, recalling far off memories of the devil’s pitiful attempts to snatch us from the hand of our Savior! He’s just no match! Never has been! Never could be!
3 promises to claim:
“He will call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him and honor him. With a long life I will satisfy him and let him see My salvation.”Psalm 91:14-16
“Even to your old age and gray hairs I am He, I am He who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.”Isaiah 46:3 & 4
“...Neither shall any man pluck them out of My hand. My Father who gave them Me, is greater than all, and no man is able to pluck them out of My Father’s hand.”John 10:28 & 29
Straight From The Garden (June Link 2007)
“Friends are like flowers in the garden of life.” Though I’ve heard and seen this quote several times before, it recently took on a new and larger meaning for me. You see, this has been my first year to try my hand at gardening. What an adventure and journey of discovery it has taken me on, peppered with lessons to learn about planting and more importantly, about life and relationships! Care to join me as I reflect for a bit ? I’ll pretend you’re sitting beside me on my garden bench, as we converse in the sunshine.
Back in mid-April, I began looking into and gathering plants, to create an outdoor retreat on my back porch and to dress up the front of my house. I didn’t have a clue where to start. I knew very little about what plants would do well where I live, the type of care and attention they need, how long they would flower for, and if they would return or not the next year. I wasn’t even sure what kinds I was looking for.
So I purchased a handful of gardening magazines/books and started talking with co-workers and friends about what kinds of plants worked best for them and brought them the most enjoyment. I also combed the aisles of the garden centers at Lowe’s and Home Depot and visited all the local nurseries, paying attention to what I was drawn to and asking questions about plant traits, requirements and care.
Then, I took a big step. I invested in plants that inspired me, filled me with joy and soothed me, knowing full well that I could be disappointed if they didn’t do well with me, or if ailments and weather should cause them not to flourish. I brought them home, and they were new, beautiful, and vivacious!
In the week or two that followed, however, I put off planting, nourishing, and watering them. I had a lot going on in my life at the time, and I chose not to make them a priority. This was primarily because I’d never gardened before and I was intimidated by and unsure of how to plant them. My fear of failure about being able to sustain and sufficiently care for them, caused me to nearly lose them, as I held back on doing anything at all.
But praise God, that He finally motivated me to face my fears! I wasn’t hopeful. They were drooping, blossoms and leaves had fallen off, and I was sure that I had waited too long and it was too late. Like I said though, God motivated me, and I decided to pour my all into one last ditch effort to save them. I planted each one using rich, fertilized soil, trimmed off any dead parts, and watered them until they couldn’t drink anymore. Then, I prayed and waited, watching to see if they would survive.
And to my amazement, they did (all but one or two, which weren’t my favorites anyway)!! I was and still am astounded at the comeback they have made! And though I’m embarrassed at how parched and neglected I’d allowed them to become, I think my joy is even sweeter, to see them vibrant and thriving now! All of the colors and fragrances, each plant unique and beautiful in its own way, make me so happy! I just look at them and smile!!
I won’t try to hide that I do still struggle with caring for them at times. I go through ups and downs. There are days I am exhausted, or just don’t feel like watering them or pruning the dead blossoms and leaves. It is easy to allow other demands in my life to cause me to put them off. But I’ve found that they’re easier to keep up with if I’m faithful in nurturing them on a regular basis. So I’m striving to let less time lapse between watering and caring for them. The beauty they bring makes my life so much richer and I don’t want to lose them. The rewards, the joy and pleasure I receive, is worth the time, energy and investment!
As I think about this gardening journey I’ve been on, parallels in relationships and friendships pop out all over the place. Have you noticed them too? There are far too many to begin to expound upon in one letter. But there’s a handful I want to touch on. I share them because they are huge lessons God is teaching me. Not because I am proficient in them or have mastered them by any means. I will be the first to admit that I have galaxies of growing to do!! Here they are, nonetheless, the lessons He’s cultivating in me:
Relationships of any kind take hard work, energy, and investment, not just initially, but continually. The rewards however, the fragrances and blossoms they bring, are more than worth the effort!
In the same manner my gardening began, if there is a desire in our hearts to become better friends with someone or to see growth in existing friendships or relationships, we must acknowledge where we are and that we have a lot to learn. When it comes to relationships, most of us aren’t “master gardeners,” but we don’t need to be. We just need to have a desire for something more, and be willing to step outside our comfort zone and invest of ourselves.
Just as I had to read and ask questions about the traits, requirements, and care of my plants, we will also find that as we seek to learn more about those we care for, growth, deepening, and beauty will take place in our relationships,. We will come to understand their needs and share in their joy and blossoming, the more time we spend with them. We will discover through time and experiences, what works well and what doesn’t.
When it inevitably happens that our friendships or relationships become parched, whether it was by our own choice and prioritizing, or because there was just some really hot “weather” in between our regular “watering,” DO NOT DESPAIR! Most true, quality friendships are very resilient. If you’ve neglected them, pour your whole heart back into them again. Pray about it and be patient, giving them space and time to recover and bloom again. More often than not, they will recognize and appreciate you fighting to not lose the friendship, and it will become richer and deeper, because of what you’ve weathered together. May God continue to amaze and surprise us with how He can rescue and revive when we’re sure it’s too late, just as He did with my plants!
Beware of weeds, pests, and ailments, and address them early! Sometimes things will enter your life or theirs, that you didn’t cause or couldn’t prevent, but that seek to destroy the relationship, nonetheless. This will stir up fear in your heart about losing them. But don’t give up hope. Pray, be there for and love them, and address the problem the best way you know how. In my own gardening experience, I noticed that aphids were attacking my beloved geraniums, and I was sure it was a lost cause. I did some research however, and found that ladybugs will devour these pests. So, I purchased some and released them in my plants. The aphids did not disappear over night, but now as time goes by, I’m seeing less and less of them. Not to say that there is always a cure in every friendship or relationship, but when you pray and try every way you know how, at least you’ll have no regrets.
On that same note, sometimes you will love and care for people and do everything right, but they fail to respond, grow, and bloom despite all that you’ve invested. As Martina McBride sings in her new song, “Love them anyway.” God knows exactly what you are going through and the pain and heartache you feel. Each day His heart breaks as a world full of people He has given His life for choose not to respond to His love. Yet He loves us anyway, and keeps hoping that perhaps the next season, perhaps the next year, we will blossom. May our hearts become filled more and more with the unconditional and persistent love He shows us and may we pray for those that have disappointed us. Who knows, next spring or a subsequent year may bring rainbows of color and sweet aromas. Many fruit trees take 7 years before they’ll yield a crop. But if they never respond, if they never embrace and flourish in our love, may it not cause us to become cynical and guarded towards existing or new relationships altogether. May we appreciate the blooms we did experience, however long or short they lasted.
Pay attention to the weather. Like plants, friendships need shelter amidst the harsh storms of life, or extra water during very hot times. I will openly admit that this is something I fall short in. I apologize from the bottom of my heart, for the times that I have not been there for any of you when you really needed me. I am a work in progress and am praying for God, the Master Gardener, to make me more sensitive to and observant of the needs of those I love and care about. If I’ve failed you in the past, may He grow me to where I don’t miss and am there for you in the future. We can’t determine or predict the weather that will come our way, but through His grace and power, may He enable us to thrive in the sunshine when it comes and put down roots for the thunderstorms.
Just like the mixture of plants in a garden, some friendships were given to us, some we choose for ourselves, and some have been with us our entire lives or as long as we can remember. Sometimes friendships jump out at us like enormous and striking peonies or fragrant roses. Other times they quietly make their presence known through the test of time. Praise God for the incredible combination they make together, and for how each friendship has added to the beauty in who we are!
Be willing to get your hands dirty and to get down on your knees. Loving and being there for people isn’t always glamorous. In fact, it can be humbling and downright messy! But more often than not, it will be reciprocated back to you at some point in time, often when you are least expecting it. For, “Love awakens love.”
When you have time and are thinking about it, ACT!! Even the best of intentions, never saved anything. Sometimes, if I get home and it’s still light outside I’ll think to myself, “I should really water those plants” or “I need to clip off those dead parts.” And sometimes I do, but many times I don’t. If you are like me at all, perhaps you struggle with this in relationships as well. I have the best of intentions. I’ll purchase something for a friend but not send it, plan or start to write a card, or think about calling and catching up with someone I care about. But frequently I don’t act and follow through all the way at the time that I am thinking about it. I rationalize that I’ll do it later, yet I often don’t. Or, I’ll ironically put it off even longer, because I feel bad and am embarrassed at the time that has lapsed since I last touched base with them. So join me in praying that God can help us to act, when He tugs on our hearts. To call that person when we are thinking about them. To write or finish that letter, to put together that package, to bake those cookies and deliver them, at the time we intend to. For, life is but a blink of an eye, and “later” may never come.
Add to the place where you are. A garden transforms and softens a yard and home, beckoning people to come and stay for awhile. In the same way, may you add fragrance and color wherever you may be (whether it is at work, at school, at church, at home, or as you go about your errands and activities). Work with what’s there and make it beautiful. May there be an aura about you and may God use you to cheer, comfort, and brighten your world!
Know your own limits. Like some kinds of plants, there are certain people who can demand so much time and energy that other relationships you value begin to suffer. Recognize and avoid this, or put up boundaries that will help both you and them. (I would further add that too many demands at work or being involved in too many things can also cause the relationships we hold the most dear to begin to crack or to fall apart altogether. When this happens, we especially need to pray for wisdom and courage in knowing what things to let go of or what boundaries need to be placed, in order to protect those we love). Be wary of taking on too much too fast. I am tempted so many times to buy lots of plants for areas all over my yard, but I’m learning that I need to finish one section before starting another, or I will feel overwhelmed and start to lose everything. Comparatively, in whatever realm of relationships you relate to this in, start small, and then add, as you are able to. Don’t try to be everything for everybody or seek to mend all of your relationships at once. Pray for God’s guidance and wisdom, start with consistently caring for a handful of those closest to you, and then expand your “borders.”
Be patient with yourself! Learning and growing in relating to, loving, and being there for each other, is a lifelong process! Change takes time, both in breaking old habits and forming new ones. But God is able to and will bring about the necessary changes, if we leave it in His hands and choose to rely on Him. He can teach and enable us to be faithful and regular in watering and nurturing our friendships and relationships. As long as we keep asking Him to work in our lives, we can be confident that we are learning and growing, whether we can see and feel it or not. For God is not idle, and no one has a stronger work ethic than Him! Even now, as I’m writing this, I’m tempted to dwell on the fact that there are many friends who I deeply cherish, yet am failing to convey this to. I will cling to the hope however, that God will help me pick up the pieces, where I am falling short!
In caring for both plants and people, some recommendations are true, some aren’t, and some are only true under certain circumstances. I had this dream of weaving flowering clematis around the columns on my back porch. I was told at the nursery though, that they wouldn’t make it because there wouldn’t be enough sunlight. I purchased them anyway, and praise God, they are absolutely thriving and bringing me so much joy! People will give you advice, whether you ask for it or not. Sometimes it is very wise and valuable. Other times it is crippling or destructive. Relationships are not black and white. There is no tried and true, foolproof recipe. I have found in my own experience that no matter how trustworthy or reliable the source, I need to pray over the advice or input that is given me, and then follow however God leads my heart. This may be in accordance with their recommendations, or it may require reckless faith to walk on water and follow Jesus, as Peter did. When He calls us to do this, He will provide the strength and courage we need, but usually only at the moment He knows we need it, and no sooner. His ways may seem foolish, frightening, or they may go against the current, but He does see the big picture. No one knows and understands us and those we love better than the One who created us in the first place. No human will ever think of something that God would forget!
When I was selecting plants for my garden, I stayed away from the annuals at first because I knew they weren’t a one time investment and would cost me each year. But as of now, they are what’s bringing me the greatest joy as they multiply and bloom brilliantly all over the place! In the same way, it would be a shame to hold back and miss out on the color and blossoms certain friendships or relationships will bring us, because we’re focusing on the fact that it requires continual investment, or because we know they will only be with us for a season. Invest anyway! The joy is worth it! Another parallel about annuals is that unlike perennials, there isn’t the tendency to stop caring for and tending to them, as the years go by. It is important to remember that even in relationships like that of an old friend, or with family or a spouse--who we know will continue to be there through the years--not to grow lax in nurturing and caring for them. For as we keep investing in them, the beauty the relationship brings perennially will multiply, intensify, and continue becoming more beautiful and fabulous than we ever imagined possible!
A parallel specifically for my “Single Sistas:” Though I started on dressing up the space around my front porch, it isn’t finished yet. There’s one place where I still need a tall plant to fill in a hole. I went looking a week or two ago, but the only options I saw worth considering, were ones I knew wouldn’t work long term and would only be a temporary fix. One was predicted to triple it’s size in a year, so I knew it would quickly become too tall and unmanageable. Another required picky sunlight and watering conditions which I knew I wouldn’t be able to keep up with. Still, I nearly invested in them, because I was so ready to have everything completed. Waiting can be unbearable! I’m longing to see the full picture in my love story as well!! Can you relate? It is so tempting to settle for and give of myself to someone who will meet my needs for affection and attention right now, yet who I know I could never spend a lifetime with. Persevere and hang in there friends!! May God save us from rushing into decisions and relationships we will regret, to fill the gap of what we’re waiting for. The One who created love between a man and a woman in the very beginning, the Author of romance, knows who will be the perfect fit for us for a lifetime! Hold on! Persist with me! Even now, in His “greenhouse,” the Master Gardener is growing them up to be the men we’ve been praying for. He will bring them into and plant them in our lives. And when He does, may He find a space tilled and ready! When we see the full picture we will be filled with awe and left speechless, at the impeccability of how the men He’s prepared for us complement and bring out the best in who we are!
Finally, the desire for a garden is like a desire to know Jesus better. Often, we’ve seen how He soothes, enriches, and makes the lives of others more beautiful. Perhaps we recognize a yearning in our own hearts to experience and have more of Him in our lives. We shop around, ask questions, or even read Christian books. But we’re not sure if we’re really ready to take the big step of actually investing in Him. What if we’re disappointed? What if it requires more than we think we can or are willing to give? He is worth the investment! Don’t miss out on the rich fragrances and colors He’s eager to add to and fill your life with. Don’t just look at the “gardens” of others. Experience Him for yourself. Start small, and add, bit by bit, as you can, as your desire grows, and as He enables you to.
Back in mid-April, I began looking into and gathering plants, to create an outdoor retreat on my back porch and to dress up the front of my house. I didn’t have a clue where to start. I knew very little about what plants would do well where I live, the type of care and attention they need, how long they would flower for, and if they would return or not the next year. I wasn’t even sure what kinds I was looking for.
So I purchased a handful of gardening magazines/books and started talking with co-workers and friends about what kinds of plants worked best for them and brought them the most enjoyment. I also combed the aisles of the garden centers at Lowe’s and Home Depot and visited all the local nurseries, paying attention to what I was drawn to and asking questions about plant traits, requirements and care.
Then, I took a big step. I invested in plants that inspired me, filled me with joy and soothed me, knowing full well that I could be disappointed if they didn’t do well with me, or if ailments and weather should cause them not to flourish. I brought them home, and they were new, beautiful, and vivacious!
In the week or two that followed, however, I put off planting, nourishing, and watering them. I had a lot going on in my life at the time, and I chose not to make them a priority. This was primarily because I’d never gardened before and I was intimidated by and unsure of how to plant them. My fear of failure about being able to sustain and sufficiently care for them, caused me to nearly lose them, as I held back on doing anything at all.
But praise God, that He finally motivated me to face my fears! I wasn’t hopeful. They were drooping, blossoms and leaves had fallen off, and I was sure that I had waited too long and it was too late. Like I said though, God motivated me, and I decided to pour my all into one last ditch effort to save them. I planted each one using rich, fertilized soil, trimmed off any dead parts, and watered them until they couldn’t drink anymore. Then, I prayed and waited, watching to see if they would survive.
And to my amazement, they did (all but one or two, which weren’t my favorites anyway)!! I was and still am astounded at the comeback they have made! And though I’m embarrassed at how parched and neglected I’d allowed them to become, I think my joy is even sweeter, to see them vibrant and thriving now! All of the colors and fragrances, each plant unique and beautiful in its own way, make me so happy! I just look at them and smile!!
I won’t try to hide that I do still struggle with caring for them at times. I go through ups and downs. There are days I am exhausted, or just don’t feel like watering them or pruning the dead blossoms and leaves. It is easy to allow other demands in my life to cause me to put them off. But I’ve found that they’re easier to keep up with if I’m faithful in nurturing them on a regular basis. So I’m striving to let less time lapse between watering and caring for them. The beauty they bring makes my life so much richer and I don’t want to lose them. The rewards, the joy and pleasure I receive, is worth the time, energy and investment!
As I think about this gardening journey I’ve been on, parallels in relationships and friendships pop out all over the place. Have you noticed them too? There are far too many to begin to expound upon in one letter. But there’s a handful I want to touch on. I share them because they are huge lessons God is teaching me. Not because I am proficient in them or have mastered them by any means. I will be the first to admit that I have galaxies of growing to do!! Here they are, nonetheless, the lessons He’s cultivating in me:
Relationships of any kind take hard work, energy, and investment, not just initially, but continually. The rewards however, the fragrances and blossoms they bring, are more than worth the effort!
In the same manner my gardening began, if there is a desire in our hearts to become better friends with someone or to see growth in existing friendships or relationships, we must acknowledge where we are and that we have a lot to learn. When it comes to relationships, most of us aren’t “master gardeners,” but we don’t need to be. We just need to have a desire for something more, and be willing to step outside our comfort zone and invest of ourselves.
Just as I had to read and ask questions about the traits, requirements, and care of my plants, we will also find that as we seek to learn more about those we care for, growth, deepening, and beauty will take place in our relationships,. We will come to understand their needs and share in their joy and blossoming, the more time we spend with them. We will discover through time and experiences, what works well and what doesn’t.
When it inevitably happens that our friendships or relationships become parched, whether it was by our own choice and prioritizing, or because there was just some really hot “weather” in between our regular “watering,” DO NOT DESPAIR! Most true, quality friendships are very resilient. If you’ve neglected them, pour your whole heart back into them again. Pray about it and be patient, giving them space and time to recover and bloom again. More often than not, they will recognize and appreciate you fighting to not lose the friendship, and it will become richer and deeper, because of what you’ve weathered together. May God continue to amaze and surprise us with how He can rescue and revive when we’re sure it’s too late, just as He did with my plants!
Beware of weeds, pests, and ailments, and address them early! Sometimes things will enter your life or theirs, that you didn’t cause or couldn’t prevent, but that seek to destroy the relationship, nonetheless. This will stir up fear in your heart about losing them. But don’t give up hope. Pray, be there for and love them, and address the problem the best way you know how. In my own gardening experience, I noticed that aphids were attacking my beloved geraniums, and I was sure it was a lost cause. I did some research however, and found that ladybugs will devour these pests. So, I purchased some and released them in my plants. The aphids did not disappear over night, but now as time goes by, I’m seeing less and less of them. Not to say that there is always a cure in every friendship or relationship, but when you pray and try every way you know how, at least you’ll have no regrets.
On that same note, sometimes you will love and care for people and do everything right, but they fail to respond, grow, and bloom despite all that you’ve invested. As Martina McBride sings in her new song, “Love them anyway.” God knows exactly what you are going through and the pain and heartache you feel. Each day His heart breaks as a world full of people He has given His life for choose not to respond to His love. Yet He loves us anyway, and keeps hoping that perhaps the next season, perhaps the next year, we will blossom. May our hearts become filled more and more with the unconditional and persistent love He shows us and may we pray for those that have disappointed us. Who knows, next spring or a subsequent year may bring rainbows of color and sweet aromas. Many fruit trees take 7 years before they’ll yield a crop. But if they never respond, if they never embrace and flourish in our love, may it not cause us to become cynical and guarded towards existing or new relationships altogether. May we appreciate the blooms we did experience, however long or short they lasted.
Pay attention to the weather. Like plants, friendships need shelter amidst the harsh storms of life, or extra water during very hot times. I will openly admit that this is something I fall short in. I apologize from the bottom of my heart, for the times that I have not been there for any of you when you really needed me. I am a work in progress and am praying for God, the Master Gardener, to make me more sensitive to and observant of the needs of those I love and care about. If I’ve failed you in the past, may He grow me to where I don’t miss and am there for you in the future. We can’t determine or predict the weather that will come our way, but through His grace and power, may He enable us to thrive in the sunshine when it comes and put down roots for the thunderstorms.
Just like the mixture of plants in a garden, some friendships were given to us, some we choose for ourselves, and some have been with us our entire lives or as long as we can remember. Sometimes friendships jump out at us like enormous and striking peonies or fragrant roses. Other times they quietly make their presence known through the test of time. Praise God for the incredible combination they make together, and for how each friendship has added to the beauty in who we are!
Be willing to get your hands dirty and to get down on your knees. Loving and being there for people isn’t always glamorous. In fact, it can be humbling and downright messy! But more often than not, it will be reciprocated back to you at some point in time, often when you are least expecting it. For, “Love awakens love.”
When you have time and are thinking about it, ACT!! Even the best of intentions, never saved anything. Sometimes, if I get home and it’s still light outside I’ll think to myself, “I should really water those plants” or “I need to clip off those dead parts.” And sometimes I do, but many times I don’t. If you are like me at all, perhaps you struggle with this in relationships as well. I have the best of intentions. I’ll purchase something for a friend but not send it, plan or start to write a card, or think about calling and catching up with someone I care about. But frequently I don’t act and follow through all the way at the time that I am thinking about it. I rationalize that I’ll do it later, yet I often don’t. Or, I’ll ironically put it off even longer, because I feel bad and am embarrassed at the time that has lapsed since I last touched base with them. So join me in praying that God can help us to act, when He tugs on our hearts. To call that person when we are thinking about them. To write or finish that letter, to put together that package, to bake those cookies and deliver them, at the time we intend to. For, life is but a blink of an eye, and “later” may never come.
Add to the place where you are. A garden transforms and softens a yard and home, beckoning people to come and stay for awhile. In the same way, may you add fragrance and color wherever you may be (whether it is at work, at school, at church, at home, or as you go about your errands and activities). Work with what’s there and make it beautiful. May there be an aura about you and may God use you to cheer, comfort, and brighten your world!
Know your own limits. Like some kinds of plants, there are certain people who can demand so much time and energy that other relationships you value begin to suffer. Recognize and avoid this, or put up boundaries that will help both you and them. (I would further add that too many demands at work or being involved in too many things can also cause the relationships we hold the most dear to begin to crack or to fall apart altogether. When this happens, we especially need to pray for wisdom and courage in knowing what things to let go of or what boundaries need to be placed, in order to protect those we love). Be wary of taking on too much too fast. I am tempted so many times to buy lots of plants for areas all over my yard, but I’m learning that I need to finish one section before starting another, or I will feel overwhelmed and start to lose everything. Comparatively, in whatever realm of relationships you relate to this in, start small, and then add, as you are able to. Don’t try to be everything for everybody or seek to mend all of your relationships at once. Pray for God’s guidance and wisdom, start with consistently caring for a handful of those closest to you, and then expand your “borders.”
Be patient with yourself! Learning and growing in relating to, loving, and being there for each other, is a lifelong process! Change takes time, both in breaking old habits and forming new ones. But God is able to and will bring about the necessary changes, if we leave it in His hands and choose to rely on Him. He can teach and enable us to be faithful and regular in watering and nurturing our friendships and relationships. As long as we keep asking Him to work in our lives, we can be confident that we are learning and growing, whether we can see and feel it or not. For God is not idle, and no one has a stronger work ethic than Him! Even now, as I’m writing this, I’m tempted to dwell on the fact that there are many friends who I deeply cherish, yet am failing to convey this to. I will cling to the hope however, that God will help me pick up the pieces, where I am falling short!
In caring for both plants and people, some recommendations are true, some aren’t, and some are only true under certain circumstances. I had this dream of weaving flowering clematis around the columns on my back porch. I was told at the nursery though, that they wouldn’t make it because there wouldn’t be enough sunlight. I purchased them anyway, and praise God, they are absolutely thriving and bringing me so much joy! People will give you advice, whether you ask for it or not. Sometimes it is very wise and valuable. Other times it is crippling or destructive. Relationships are not black and white. There is no tried and true, foolproof recipe. I have found in my own experience that no matter how trustworthy or reliable the source, I need to pray over the advice or input that is given me, and then follow however God leads my heart. This may be in accordance with their recommendations, or it may require reckless faith to walk on water and follow Jesus, as Peter did. When He calls us to do this, He will provide the strength and courage we need, but usually only at the moment He knows we need it, and no sooner. His ways may seem foolish, frightening, or they may go against the current, but He does see the big picture. No one knows and understands us and those we love better than the One who created us in the first place. No human will ever think of something that God would forget!
When I was selecting plants for my garden, I stayed away from the annuals at first because I knew they weren’t a one time investment and would cost me each year. But as of now, they are what’s bringing me the greatest joy as they multiply and bloom brilliantly all over the place! In the same way, it would be a shame to hold back and miss out on the color and blossoms certain friendships or relationships will bring us, because we’re focusing on the fact that it requires continual investment, or because we know they will only be with us for a season. Invest anyway! The joy is worth it! Another parallel about annuals is that unlike perennials, there isn’t the tendency to stop caring for and tending to them, as the years go by. It is important to remember that even in relationships like that of an old friend, or with family or a spouse--who we know will continue to be there through the years--not to grow lax in nurturing and caring for them. For as we keep investing in them, the beauty the relationship brings perennially will multiply, intensify, and continue becoming more beautiful and fabulous than we ever imagined possible!
A parallel specifically for my “Single Sistas:” Though I started on dressing up the space around my front porch, it isn’t finished yet. There’s one place where I still need a tall plant to fill in a hole. I went looking a week or two ago, but the only options I saw worth considering, were ones I knew wouldn’t work long term and would only be a temporary fix. One was predicted to triple it’s size in a year, so I knew it would quickly become too tall and unmanageable. Another required picky sunlight and watering conditions which I knew I wouldn’t be able to keep up with. Still, I nearly invested in them, because I was so ready to have everything completed. Waiting can be unbearable! I’m longing to see the full picture in my love story as well!! Can you relate? It is so tempting to settle for and give of myself to someone who will meet my needs for affection and attention right now, yet who I know I could never spend a lifetime with. Persevere and hang in there friends!! May God save us from rushing into decisions and relationships we will regret, to fill the gap of what we’re waiting for. The One who created love between a man and a woman in the very beginning, the Author of romance, knows who will be the perfect fit for us for a lifetime! Hold on! Persist with me! Even now, in His “greenhouse,” the Master Gardener is growing them up to be the men we’ve been praying for. He will bring them into and plant them in our lives. And when He does, may He find a space tilled and ready! When we see the full picture we will be filled with awe and left speechless, at the impeccability of how the men He’s prepared for us complement and bring out the best in who we are!
Finally, the desire for a garden is like a desire to know Jesus better. Often, we’ve seen how He soothes, enriches, and makes the lives of others more beautiful. Perhaps we recognize a yearning in our own hearts to experience and have more of Him in our lives. We shop around, ask questions, or even read Christian books. But we’re not sure if we’re really ready to take the big step of actually investing in Him. What if we’re disappointed? What if it requires more than we think we can or are willing to give? He is worth the investment! Don’t miss out on the rich fragrances and colors He’s eager to add to and fill your life with. Don’t just look at the “gardens” of others. Experience Him for yourself. Start small, and add, bit by bit, as you can, as your desire grows, and as He enables you to.
Drink Your Water! (Mar. Link 2007)
If you’ve ever participated in construction or laid block you know that it is hard core work, especially when you are in the hot tropical sun. It can be extremely rewarding, however, as you watch walls go up where merely a foundation stood before. In fact, you can become so focused and caught up in making progress, that you put off stopping to take a break to rest and drink water. I knew this was apt to be the case, from previous mission trips I’d been on. So being as I was the nurse for our mission trip, and thus responsible for ensuring that our team stayed well hydrated, I asked a couple of girls if they would take on the essential role of making sure that we were all drinking water regularly.
And so they did. They organized our water bottles together according to the groups we were working in and came around routinely, urging “Drink your water!” Often I was glad to see them coming, because they made sure our bottles were filled with cool water, which refreshed and renewed our energy as the blazing sun barbequed us. But sometimes, I would insist on laying a few more blocks, or put them off for awhile, in my determination to push ahead and make more progress. Fortunately, they were persistent and insistent.
Friends, I have especially become focused, consumed, and caught up in making progress in my own life during the last several weeks. Projects to take care of around my house, cleaning, laundry/ironing, yard work/mowing, all make demands for my time (not to mention trying to fit in my regular work hours)!! The list of things awaiting my attention and energy can feel like an overflowing inbox in which the bottom of the basket never seems to be in sight!
Upon my return from the mission trip, the devil has been working extra hard and relentlessly to try and break down my relationship with Jesus. Up until recently, he has succeeded, distracting me in countless ways in an attempt to blind me from the Source of Living Water, which he knows will quench and revive my parched and weary soul. He’s been trying to get me to sweat off my Water supply and not seek replenishment.
I am exhausted! I’ve allowed my life to become far too busy and fatigue is pulling me under. I’ve allowed the urgent to crowd out the important! Dehydration is causing my world to spin in circles and my vision to become blurry.
There is this struggle going on within me. I can faintly hear the voice of One who says “Come to Me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). “...Those who drink of the water that I will give them will never be thirsty...” (John 4:14). I keep insisting, “I can’t stop to rest yet. I must get these things done first. I must lay a few more ‘blocks’ before I take a break, in order to have sanity!” He says “Without taking part in My rest, without drinking of the power and strength I’m longing and ready to impart to you, you will never attain the sanity you are fighting for. In fact, you will drive yourself insane, insisting on accomplishing those things before you turn to Me. Please don’t wait, My child. Don’t wait until you collapse. Come unto Me. I’m waiting here with open arms.”
Perhaps you are weary too. Perhaps you are feeling drained, depleted, and overwhelmed. Perhaps you are about to, or have already collapsed. Just as surely as our bodies require physical water to survive, dimensions more so our hearts and souls are in need of Jesus, the Living Water, to fill, replenish, and sustain us! He is the Answer and Solution to the mountains we are facing. He alone can provide the perspective, rest, courage and strength that we need. Whether it is an endless task list that looms before us, daunting papers and exams, or juggling schedules, family, and work, He wants to be there for us!
The devil has been practicing the art of distraction for thousands of years. More than anything, he wants to prevent us from developing a stronger relationship with Jesus. He wants to drain and keep us separated from our Water Supply. He’s trying to dehydrate us, because he knows that if we get even a few sips of Jesus, we will discover that He satisfies and empowers us like nothing and no one else!
There will always be more to do, more to pour our time and energy into. Our society is racing at a frantic pace and will drag us along with it if we are not careful, leaving us utterly exhausted and parched. We must make time on a regular basis to come and drink deeply from the well of the Water of Life. It’s backwards to rationalize that we are too busy to take time for God. Rather, we are too busy not take time for God. There is just too much on our plates and too much headed in our direction for us to believe that we can face it on our own. In John 15:5, Jesus says “...apart from Me you can do nothing.”
If you’ve heard it said in regards to physical water “by the time you feel thirsty, you are already dehydrated,” it is equally true in the spiritual sense. Let’s not wait to feel thirsty! May He fill our cups and keep them filled!
That dear friends, is the beauty of a Savior!! Let Him scoop you up in His arms and carry you to green pastures and cool, refreshing waters. Let Him restore your soul! He is the Good Shepherd. Allow Him to care for you!
We have a Father who comes around routinely and at regular intervals, eager to fill our cups and bring us rest. Fortunately, He is persistent and insistent. Listen to His voice as he urges “My precious child, you are thirsty whether you realize it or not. I can quench your thirst. I am longing to. Read about Me, spend time with Me on a daily basis. Don’t wait until you collapse under the hot sun. I will give you rest. I will refresh, renew, and fill you with energy to face whatever lies before you. Drink your Water!!”
And so they did. They organized our water bottles together according to the groups we were working in and came around routinely, urging “Drink your water!” Often I was glad to see them coming, because they made sure our bottles were filled with cool water, which refreshed and renewed our energy as the blazing sun barbequed us. But sometimes, I would insist on laying a few more blocks, or put them off for awhile, in my determination to push ahead and make more progress. Fortunately, they were persistent and insistent.
Friends, I have especially become focused, consumed, and caught up in making progress in my own life during the last several weeks. Projects to take care of around my house, cleaning, laundry/ironing, yard work/mowing, all make demands for my time (not to mention trying to fit in my regular work hours)!! The list of things awaiting my attention and energy can feel like an overflowing inbox in which the bottom of the basket never seems to be in sight!
Upon my return from the mission trip, the devil has been working extra hard and relentlessly to try and break down my relationship with Jesus. Up until recently, he has succeeded, distracting me in countless ways in an attempt to blind me from the Source of Living Water, which he knows will quench and revive my parched and weary soul. He’s been trying to get me to sweat off my Water supply and not seek replenishment.
I am exhausted! I’ve allowed my life to become far too busy and fatigue is pulling me under. I’ve allowed the urgent to crowd out the important! Dehydration is causing my world to spin in circles and my vision to become blurry.
There is this struggle going on within me. I can faintly hear the voice of One who says “Come to Me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). “...Those who drink of the water that I will give them will never be thirsty...” (John 4:14). I keep insisting, “I can’t stop to rest yet. I must get these things done first. I must lay a few more ‘blocks’ before I take a break, in order to have sanity!” He says “Without taking part in My rest, without drinking of the power and strength I’m longing and ready to impart to you, you will never attain the sanity you are fighting for. In fact, you will drive yourself insane, insisting on accomplishing those things before you turn to Me. Please don’t wait, My child. Don’t wait until you collapse. Come unto Me. I’m waiting here with open arms.”
Perhaps you are weary too. Perhaps you are feeling drained, depleted, and overwhelmed. Perhaps you are about to, or have already collapsed. Just as surely as our bodies require physical water to survive, dimensions more so our hearts and souls are in need of Jesus, the Living Water, to fill, replenish, and sustain us! He is the Answer and Solution to the mountains we are facing. He alone can provide the perspective, rest, courage and strength that we need. Whether it is an endless task list that looms before us, daunting papers and exams, or juggling schedules, family, and work, He wants to be there for us!
The devil has been practicing the art of distraction for thousands of years. More than anything, he wants to prevent us from developing a stronger relationship with Jesus. He wants to drain and keep us separated from our Water Supply. He’s trying to dehydrate us, because he knows that if we get even a few sips of Jesus, we will discover that He satisfies and empowers us like nothing and no one else!
There will always be more to do, more to pour our time and energy into. Our society is racing at a frantic pace and will drag us along with it if we are not careful, leaving us utterly exhausted and parched. We must make time on a regular basis to come and drink deeply from the well of the Water of Life. It’s backwards to rationalize that we are too busy to take time for God. Rather, we are too busy not take time for God. There is just too much on our plates and too much headed in our direction for us to believe that we can face it on our own. In John 15:5, Jesus says “...apart from Me you can do nothing.”
If you’ve heard it said in regards to physical water “by the time you feel thirsty, you are already dehydrated,” it is equally true in the spiritual sense. Let’s not wait to feel thirsty! May He fill our cups and keep them filled!
That dear friends, is the beauty of a Savior!! Let Him scoop you up in His arms and carry you to green pastures and cool, refreshing waters. Let Him restore your soul! He is the Good Shepherd. Allow Him to care for you!
We have a Father who comes around routinely and at regular intervals, eager to fill our cups and bring us rest. Fortunately, He is persistent and insistent. Listen to His voice as he urges “My precious child, you are thirsty whether you realize it or not. I can quench your thirst. I am longing to. Read about Me, spend time with Me on a daily basis. Don’t wait until you collapse under the hot sun. I will give you rest. I will refresh, renew, and fill you with energy to face whatever lies before you. Drink your Water!!”
Stay Onboard & Trust The Captain (Feb. Link 2007)
Not long ago, I hopped onto the ferry to head across the water on my way home to see my family. It was a cold, foggy morning, so I picked up a warm Chai Tea, brought a blanket from my car up with me to the main cabin, and settled into a seat by a window. And as I curled up there, gazing out into the misty clouds while we glided across the water, God touched my heart with beautiful parallels between riding the ferry and waiting for Him to unfold things in my love story.
Giving Him the pen and inviting Him to script my love story, is like boarding a ferry in which He is the Captain, responsible for getting us safely to the destination. When we board or most certainly at some point throughout the journey, THERE WILL BE FOG! That morning, it was mysterious and enchanting to me. Sometimes it will be and we will have eagerness and great expectations for the surprise of what’s in store next. But often it is the case that the fog, the unknown, is scary and terrifying.
That is where I’m at right now. I can’t see where He’s taking me. I’m tempted to quit believing we’re headed anywhere at all, especially in a direction beyond my highest hopes, wildest dreams, and greatest imaginings (like He’s promised in I Cor. 2:9 and Eph. 3:20). My faith is faltering amidst the fog, and I cry out to Him. His reply moves my heart and fills my eyes with tears:
“STAY ONBOARD! I WILL GET YOU THERE!! WE ARE MOVING AND I KNOW MY WAY THROUGH THE WATERS. I didn’t cause the fog. It’s what we’re passing through to reach the destination. I promise to keep you safe and protected. Just stay onboard. I will get you there on time.”
Friends, in this journey we are on, sometimes the waters are smooth and sometimes they are choppy. Sometimes there will be great views, sometimes we can barely make out the shoreline, and sometimes we can’t even see in any direction. Our feelings will wax and wane and it’s ok for them to. His plea with us is simply this: “Just STAY ONBOARD! Keep giving Me the pen to script your love story. WE ARE MOVING, though it may not seem like it, and I WILL GET YOU THERE! I LOVE YOU BEYOND WORDS AND MEASURE AND I HAVE NOT FORGOTTEN ABOUT YOU!”
For me, the fog has become just too much right now, and I am praying and pleading with God for even the slightest glimpse of the plans He has in store for me. On the last leg of my ferry trip home to see my parents, the fog did lift and I beheld the breath-taking beauty of where I’d come from in the snow-covered Olympics behind me. I was also able to look ahead and drink in the frosted Cascade Mountains and Mt. Rainier, their crystal neighbor, as they sparkled and glistened in the sunshine! The beauty I was surrounded by filled me with awe, wonder and amazement!
I am praying for a similar break in the fog encompassing me right now. I would pray the same for you, if thick clouds surround you as well. I’m aching, longing, and desperate to see the beauty of where I’ve come from and the beauty that lies ahead. If God took my breath away on a ferry ride, why wouldn’t He want to do so with my love story, especially if He loved me enough to die for me? But even if I must wait, even if confusion continues to rock my world as I yearn for Him to make sense of things, and even if the forecast predicts more fog, I choose to stay onboard.
Will you join me? I’ve got a nice spot by the window. I’ll share my blanket with you. Come and sit beside me as the Captain leads us forward on this journey. The fog will be more bearable, the views more spectacular, if we share in them together!
Got Hope? (Jan. Link 2007)
“Hope is a type of kaleidoscope. Through its lens, we can believe the impossible and see what might be. Hope’s hues are rainbow in promise, bringing rays of light into once dark corners.”
I absolutely love this quote! It’s from a book I recently read by Patsy Clairmont, called “All Cracked Up” (which I would highly recommend reading, by the way!). In this chapter, she digs into and explores what hope is. Then she asks reflective questions at the end. One of them in particular “How does hope help our broken hearts?” really got me thinking. It occurred to me, that hope is what pulls us through, whatever it may be that we are struggling with. It gives us something to hold out for. Hope is a like a life preserver that keeps us from sinking or going under, as long as we cling to it.
God knew we needed hope. It is the hope of spring that can carry us through a harsh winter. It is the hope of graduation that can pull one through mountains of papers, long nights of studying, and rigorous tests. The hope of sharing my life and heart with someone who truly cherishes me and loves me for who I am, enables me to hold on through years of waiting and periods of heartache. The hope of making a difference or knowing that you are exactly where God wants you to be, can carry you through dealing with harsh co-workers/customers, or feelings of being overwhelmed and exhausted. It is the hope of eternal life that lifts broken hearts when loved ones have died. And the hope of heaven, where God will wipe away all our tears and where there will be no more death, sorrow, crying or pain (Revelation 21:4), can bring us through one day at a time amidst a world of pain, suffering, heartache and injustice.
So how do we hope? In all honesty, a few weeks ago I had forgotten how. We were reading in my Young Adult Sabbath School about how in essence, God says in Matthew 6: 25-34, “Don’t worry. I’m going to take care of every aspect of your life and future.” In my heart, I wanted to hope and believe that He will. But somehow I just couldn’t. So I talked with the group about it, and we decided to just really level and be honest with God. We each wrote down on a post-it, the things we were worried/stressed about or that were weighing us down and taking away from our joy and quality of life. Then we prayed a simple prayer, saying “Lord, we bring you these things on our hearts. We don’t know how to let them go, and to hope that You will take care of them, but we ask that somehow You’ll take them from us and fill and overwhelm us with Your peace.” AND HE DID!! I had my doubts, and set my expectations low, but He really came through! I was and am still amazed! I can’t explain it, but there were these heavy burdens on my shoulders, and somehow He just lifted them!
Whatever is on your heart, whatever is weighing heavily on your mind, He wants to lift it for you too! He wants to overwhelm you with peace that He is big enough to see to every aspect of what you are facing. He wants to give you hope that He will take care of you in every way, if you will let Him. I challenge you to write down your concerns/burdens and lay them before Him, asking Him to take them from you and fill you with His peace. And I will be praying that He will give you a story to share, about how He comes through for you, as He did for me!
Searching For Joy & Hope At Christmas (Link 12/25/06)
What is it about the Christmas season that fills our hearts with eagerness, anticipation and excitement, like no other time of the year? What is it that makes us want to rush in it’s presence, earlier and earlier? We love it! We look forward to it! It is all of our favorite things, everything we love, wrapped up into one. There’s something it brings that we allow to slip through our fingers the rest of the year. It’s something we’re missing. It’s something we’re thirsty for. I would suggest that this void, this thirst within us for which we are parched, revolves around two things: Hope and Joy.
Perhaps what I love most about Christmas, in a word, is HOPE! It’s this childlike wonderment re-awakening in my heart that anything can happen! It’s the little girl in me beginning to dream again. Christmas brings out the kid in us, who far too often disappears throughout the remainder of the year. As we grow older we live life bracing ourselves for disappointment. We live life safe, scared to hope for something better. We wrestle with questions–“Is God really scripting great plans for me? Does He really want to make my life beautiful, and even if He does, can He? Will He?”
Over two thousand years ago, God looked down on a hopeless and oppressed people. He saw how life had battered them, torn them apart, and shattered their dreams of a prince coming to save them. And, it tore His heart in two–so much so that He was willing to leave paradise and His family for 33 years and risk everything to bring them hope again! He came to the rescue. He boldly lit up the heavens and cranked up surround sound amidst the clouds with heart pounding, soul stirring melodies to say “I have not forgotten you! I AM HERE! I keep My promises!” To the wisemen came His message, “Sometimes you really do find what you’re searching for!” To the shepherds, “Sometimes dreams really do come true!” And to His people, He emphatically proclaimed, “I will rescue you!”
Dear friends, God has not changed! His heart is still aching for and passionate about giving us hope once again! Has your heart been battered? Have your dreams been struck down? Have you been stripped of your joy? Are there things you’re scared to wish or hold out for, things you’re terrified to believe might come true, lest disappointment should rock your world again?
Hear His words: “Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask Him?” (Matthew 7:9-11).
In the same way parents anticipate surprising their children with presents they were hoping for at Christmas, so our Heavenly Father anticipates and finds pleasure in surprising us beyond our highest hopes! He promises “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him” (I. Corinthians 2:9).
If it is on your heart, if it matters to you, it matters to Him! I implore you, hear your tender Heavenly Father bending over you this Christmas saying “I will give you joy, or add to the joy you already have, and make it more full than you could have ever imagined, because I love loving you!! I want to see you beaming and glowing from ear to ear! I want to hear you shouting and see you leaping for joy! I want to make you that happy! My darling, precious child, I love you beyond words and measure! I have fabulous plans for you! They will take your breath away! They will leave you speechless! Dream again!! Dream and hope, like you did as a child! I want you to experience what it is to truly live!”
Yes, we have a Father who has surprises in store for us far more spectacular than anything we’ve ever found beneath the Christmas tree! Surprises that can’t be contained in a box or bound up in wrapping paper! Let Him fill you with contagious joy! Let Him restore your hopes! The same One who did not forget about His people two thousand years ago has not forgotten about us! We have a Father who keeps His word! We have a Father who delights in making our dreams come true! He is here! He’s standing on your doorstep, asking, hoping you’ll let Him into the home of your heart, not just for the holidays, but for a lifetime! You see, spending time with you is what He wants for Christmas!
Are you searching for joy this season? Are you in need of hope? Search no more!
Friday, April 23, 2010
Sometimes
Sometimes the road's rough and it isn't getting smoother
Sometimes winter drags on into spring
Sometimes though we plead and cry the tide remains the same
Sometimes, sometimes, sometimes
Sometimes hope we cling to seems itself to be unraveling
Sometimes it is more than we can bear
Sometimes we are wounded and the future's truly daunting
Sometimes, sometimes, sometimes
Sometimes we are blessed, yet there's something more we long for
Sometimes words of comfort aren't enough
Sometimes we're misjudged for an ache we can't curtail
Sometimes, sometimes, sometimes
Sometimes dreams are given that take years to be fulfilled
Sarah, David, Joseph would concur
Sometimes we look foolish and we question what we've heard
Sometimes, sometimes, sometimes
Sometimes there are thorns before a rose begins to bloom
Sometimes there's a rainbow through the clouds
Sometimes when the storm won't lift, we learn to dance in rain
Sometimes, sometimes, sometimes
In a world of sometimes where there's joy and there is pain
Heart attacks may never seem to end
Jesus, Great Physician, hold me--help me carry on
Remind me that You're coming back again!
Sometimes winter drags on into spring
Sometimes though we plead and cry the tide remains the same
Sometimes, sometimes, sometimes
Sometimes hope we cling to seems itself to be unraveling
Sometimes it is more than we can bear
Sometimes we are wounded and the future's truly daunting
Sometimes, sometimes, sometimes
Sometimes we are blessed, yet there's something more we long for
Sometimes words of comfort aren't enough
Sometimes we're misjudged for an ache we can't curtail
Sometimes, sometimes, sometimes
Sometimes dreams are given that take years to be fulfilled
Sarah, David, Joseph would concur
Sometimes we look foolish and we question what we've heard
Sometimes, sometimes, sometimes
Sometimes there are thorns before a rose begins to bloom
Sometimes there's a rainbow through the clouds
Sometimes when the storm won't lift, we learn to dance in rain
Sometimes, sometimes, sometimes
In a world of sometimes where there's joy and there is pain
Heart attacks may never seem to end
Jesus, Great Physician, hold me--help me carry on
Remind me that You're coming back again!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
