Saturday, July 28, 2007

Body Blows

Life's body blows hit when we least expect it. The reasons don't even matter yet the sting is searing, our breath is labored, and we wonder if we can go on. Where is God in all of this? Why now and why me? I found this poem in Streams in the Desert and it gave me comfort and a reminder that the path, at times, will be muddy and hard to see – but He is there!

If we could see…

If we could see beyond today
As God can see;
If all the clouds should roll away,
The shadows flee;
O'er present griefs we would not fret.
Each sorrow we would soon forget,
For many joys are waiting yet
For you and me.

If we could see beyond today
As God doth know;
Why dearest treasures pass away
And tears must flow;
And why the darkness leads to light,
Why dreary paths will soon grow bright;
Some day life's wrongs will be made right,
Faith tells us so.

"If we could see, if we could know,"
We often say,
But God in love a veil doth throw
Across our way;
We cannot see what lies before,
And so we cling to Him the more,
He leads us till this life if o'er
Trust and obey.

Wednesday, July 25, 2007

Do I know you?

Last week the grandgirlies followed us home to Arizona to spend some time with us after working at Dad's house. During the week, I started playing a game with Allie, my youngest who is 2 1/2. While waiting for our food in a restaurant one day, she came up to me and said,

"Nana! Nana?"
"Do I know you?" I answered.
"Yes," she giggled.
"Oh, is your name Susie?" I asked.
"No, Nana, it is Allie G!"
"Is your name Betsy?"
She replied a little louder, "It is Allie G!"
"Oh I know you, you are my youngest granddaughter, Allie, and I love you!" I replied.
"Yes, Nana!" she giggled, gave me a big smile, and snuggled up for a hug.

This exchange with my sweet girl reminds me of the story of the Good Shepherd in John 10: I am the good shepherd; I know my own sheep, and they know me, just as my Father knows me and I know the Father…They will listen to my voice, and there will be one flock with one shepherd. I am certain that my Heavenly Father knows my name, in fact He even numbers the hair on my head. He knows me intimately because He made me. But to be a daughter in the family of the King, I realized at a young age the need for a remedy for the sins that separated me from Him and accepted the gift of salvation through Jesus. Just as I know Allie is my granddaughter and part of my family, she knows that my voice means trust, safety, protection, and love; she can sit on my lap any time she wants to. How wonderful to know that I have that same access and security with my Father and when I need Him, He is just a prayer away. And, I am sure that I can sit on His lap, too!

Sunday, July 22, 2007

Stuff!

Regard (treat with honor, due obedience, and courtesy) your father and mother, that your days may be long in the land the Lord your God gives you. Exodus 20:12 (Amplified Bible)

Forty years of stuff! This last week was filled with sorting, keeping, throwing, and giving away all kinds of things from my Dad's house. With the passing of my mom, he has decided that moving to an assisted living facility is the best alternative but that means the dreaded word, move—and stuff—and judgment calls. His mind is sharp but his body fails him due to severe arthritis and macular degeneration making it necessary for him to depend on us to make those hard choices and do the work. I know it was very difficult for him to watch us dismantle his home and see bags carted out of the house, and we only cleaned out closets! For you see, Dad, a military man for 20 years plus a career as a civil engineer, made decisions every day. I am finding that taking on the role of parent to an aging parent is one of the hardest. As difficult as this is for me, I can only imagine how tough this must be for him, a very independent man. Yet, I am thankful that he allows me to help. As unprepared as I feel for this task, I know that God is there to guide me. While there, we visited several nice housing options but the final place was just what we all were hoping to find. It had the people, amenities, and location that encouraged us that Dad will be comfortable and well cared for, and he is excited about the choice. However, once more, we wait because the type of room he wants is not available—at least for now. Maybe that phone will ring tomorrow—or not—but I know we can trust that our Heavenly Father knows just the right situation for my dad. And the timing will be perfect!

Wednesday, July 11, 2007

Dry Brook

Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see.  Hebrews 11:1 (NLT)

An Old Testament story records that when God declared a drought on the land of Israel, He did not forget his prophet, Elijah. He sent him to the Kerith Brook where He fed him by way of ravens and instructed him to drink from the brook. I would imagine that Elijah thought it was a pretty easy life, considering what was going on around him, with fresh food brought morning and evening and water flowing right next to his camp. Yet, as the drought continued, the water began to evaporate and the water slowed to a trickle. It happened after a while that the brook dried up, because there was no rain in the land. 1 Kings 17:7 (NASB) Now, if I were the camper, I would have already explored Plan B – just in case. This is the part where faith comes into the story. Faith occurs when you can't see two steps in front of you and God seems to have given you impossible instructions. Water is essential for life, especially in the arid land of Israel…but Elijah didn't panic, he waited. During stressful times, I often find myself wanting to take control and make my own way of escape. I may even have a little faith if there is a small inkling of a way out. Yet, God's plan is not accomplished through my flimsy schemes or tiny faith. His way is always better...I just have to wait. The story continues and the Lord sent Elijah to Zaraphat to live with a widow where more miracles occurred and this woman witnessed the power of God. The woman said to Elijah, "I see it all now—you are a holy man. When you speak, God speaks—a true word!" 1 Kings 17:24 (The Message) She saw that Elijah lived by his faith in the one true God. Remember, the ultimate result of faith is that we glorify God so that others may come to Him. The brook may dry up, but be assured that God is faithful. Wait!

Monday, July 9, 2007

Hold Still!

I ordered the devotional Streams in the Desert, which seemed appropriate now that I live in the desert. It was first published in 1925 so many of the daily readings have the old-fashioned words, phrases, and formats. It has taken me awhile to fully appreciate the beauty and flow of words so common in that day, especially since I have adopted the shorthand of the computer technology in most of my letters and notes. While that may be faster and more direct in our world of speed, I believe something has been lost in the transition. The following poem spoke to me today; maybe it is just what you need, too. Remember that all God asks of us is to be willing, He will take care of the rest.

Hold Still!

Pain's furnace heat within me quivers,
God's breath upon the flame doth blow;
And all my heart in anguish shivers
And trembles at the fiery glow;
And yet I whisper, "As God will!"
And in the hottest fire hold still.

He comes and lays my heart, all heated,
On the hard anvil, minded so
Into His own fair shape to beat it
With his great hammer, blow on blow;
And yet I whisper, "As God will!"
And at His heaviest blows hold still.

He takes my softened heart and beats it;
The sparks fly off at every blow;
He turns it o'er and o'er and heats it,
And lets it cool, and makes it glow;
And yet I whisper, "As God will!"
And in His mighty hand hold still.

Why should I murmur? for the sorrow
Thus only longer-lived would be;
The end may come, and will tomorrow,
When God has done His work in me;
So I say trusting, "As God will!"
And, trusting to the end, hold still.

Julius Sturm

Friday, July 6, 2007

What a Map!

Yet I am confident I will see the Lord’s goodness while I am here in the land of the living.
Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord. Psalm 27:13-14 (NLT)

When I get ready for a trip, I want to know the most direct and fastest way to get to my destination, so I check the map. It is so much easier to do it on the computer rather than fighting with all the creases in a paper map. Paul knew that he wanted to go from Jerusalem to Rome but he certainly took a circuitous route…much of it unplanned. After being unjustly accused in Jerusalem by the Jewish religious leaders, he was taken for trial to Felix, the governor of Caesarea, the provincial capital for Judea. Yet, Felix almost toys with Paul as he questions him, bringing him back for an audience several times. Fear grips Felix as he listens to Paul and his coping strategy is procrastination. When two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus, but because Felix wanted to grant a favor to the Jews, he left Paul in prison. Acts 24:27 (NIV) Two years! 730 days! Paul, a Roman citizen, was unjustly imprisoned all that time even though Felix knew the facts of the case. Why was this a good thing? One reason is that with Paul in protective custody, he is kept from the hands of Jews intent on his death. Second, he is given many opportunities to declare the gospel to Felix and his wife, Drusilla. And finally, while several Jewish leaders do hear his case, no one will render a verdict and he is sent to Rome for trial – implementing the divine plan of witnessing in Rome. So what difference does this make to me? During those seasons when life does not make sense and you want to hurry up the process, be assured that God is working out the details. Our finite perspective cannot begin to compare with the infinite knowledge and plans of the Savior. Paul would have missed many opportunities along the way if he had been following his map from mapquest. Two years! Take hope when the journey seems long with unplanned stops. We may not know what is going on in the unseen world, but God does. Be confident!

Tuesday, July 3, 2007

The Fourth

The Fourth of July is special day in our home, rather on the order of Christmas. We decorate the house, bring out the patriotic dishes, wear clothes that declare our love for our country, serve favorite and traditional food, and watch fireworks, declaring them the best ever. The terror manifested in the United Kingdom this week is a vivid display that freedom comes at an enormous cost. Our enemies will use any means to further their cause – even death. Their determination to take us down is why our young men and women are fighting daily, at their own peril, to keep us safe from harm. Our support and appreciation for them on this day of celebration is not only deserved but also required as an example to our children and grandchildren. Many schools no longer require the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance. I remember my sweet granddaughter, Kate, only two at the time, saying the Pledge in front of about 40 moms. My heart swelled and tears glistened in many eyes as we listened to that tiny girl repeat those awesome words. We must never forget the lives sacrificed for the cause of freedom and if necessary, learn anew this simple exercise of our citizenship. Take a few moments to listen to the sketch by Red Skelton explaining the meaning of the Pledge of Allegiance to some children. We are one nation, under God, with liberty and justice for ALL. Enjoy the Fourth!