Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Hi, Nana!

Similarly, teach the older women to live in a way that honors God…they should teach others what is good. Titus 2:3 (NLT)
I received my first email written by my almost-10-year-old granddaughter, Kate. She mentioned a few days ago that she needed to practice her typing so would be sending me an email. Would I like to write back to her? It just warmed the cockles of this Nana's heart to be asked to share in her life this way. I have a friend who is a pen pal to her two granddaughters and I have often thought what a wonderful way to speak into their lives in a loving and thoughtful way. I had to laugh as I read Kate's message, detailing her school activities and plans for making Christmas presents for her sisters. However, the best part was the PS: Ask me questions to answer! That's my girl. I feel the weight of the charge by Paul that the older women are to teach what is good. Today's world looks nothing like my world did as a fourth grader. Kate will face challenges that I never even contemplated – and it will hit her soon. What a privilege and opportunity to ask her what she is thinking and offer her guidance as she reflects on hopes and dreams, relationships, attitudes, and decisions. My grandgirlie loves life and nothing is better than picking up the phone and hearing, "Hi, Nana!" Now I look forward to those emails with the latest rundown on her world of school, horses, church, sisters, piano, guitar or the latest book she is reading. "Father, give me wisdom to meet her questions with answers from You and Your Word."

Thursday, December 3, 2009

Songs in the Night

People cry out when they are oppressed. They groan beneath the power of the mighty. Yet they don’t ask, ‘Where is God my Creator, the one who gives songs in the night?'

Job 35:9-10 (NLT)

Over dinner the other night, a discussion with friends turned to sleep patterns. I had climbed out of bed that morning, noting three o'clock beaming from the clock in the darkened bedroom. I was wide-awake, knowing it was really too early to get up, but refusing to lie there and toss and turn for the next couple of hours. For several months, sleep has been a challenge. It began during the depths of Mark's depression. I would lie in bed, tense and watchful, listening to him wander around in the middle of the night. This went on for several months until we figured out he needed some help and medicine. Finally, he could sleep but I still struggle.

Our Bible study is finishing up a study of the Psalms, taught by Beth Moore. The first verse of Psalm 134 caught my attention this morning as I worked on my lesson. Praise the LORD, all you servants of the LORD who minister by night in the house of the LORD. Night—the time of day I dread the most. Yet, God has work for us to do at night and expects us to do it with praise. That stopped me since I don't like the night. However, there was more…I discovered that He gives songs in the night.

As I thought about the songs we sing, I realized that the most meaningful words often come from the depths of our hearts in the silence of darkened sky, alone, and afraid. The enemy loves to get us in this spot and distract us, but he sure can't help. Only God is there to listen and comfort us. He turns our cry into praise and gives us songs in the night when we lift our hearts to Him. I've decided to do some songwriting the next time sleep eludes me. Want to start a choir?