Monthly Archives: January 2018

Be a Dandelion!

“Be joyful in hope, patient in trouble, and persistent in prayer.” Romans 12:12 (ISV)

What an example of perseverance!  As I walked across my yard, a glint of bright yellow caught my eye. Despite days and days of single digit temperatures, snow, and wind, this little dandelion found a way to push out of the dark, frozen ground. Bitter cold? Didn’t stop it. Frigid wind?  It kept right on going. Stretched to its limits and facing obstacles in its way, this little sign of life kept reaching toward the sun until it broke through into the morning light. And wouldn’t you know it?  This small, determined, tiny plant showed up just when I needed a little prompting to persist, myself!

I too, have been frozen; stuck in my own wavering thoughts, pushing against uncertainty and doubt, and letting my faith be blown here and there.  It’s been a real struggle to try and find my way in the dark.  And then, here’s this small golden gift put directly in my path, bringing to mind a truth God’s been trying to get me to understand: Just. Keep. Reaching. Toward. The. Son.

Ever been in that place of believing, but asking God for help in your unbelief? That’s right where I’ve been planted of late. Shaken by prayers not answered in the way hoped for? Hold on. Weary of not knowing what to do? Endure. Faith far from where it needs to be? Pursue. Feeling unworthy of God’s love? Abide.  For every question I’ve raised, the answer has simply been “stay”. Stay in My promises.  Stay in My plan.  Stay in My love.

As I’ve read the Bible, talked with other trusted Christians, and prayed, I’ve searched for some preconceived, easy to understand answers.  You’ve probably guessed that I didn’t find what I was looking for and you’d be right. But, what did come to light in the midst of this dark struggle is this: Just Believe!

“”My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine.  For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.

The rain and snow come down from the heavens and stay on the ground to water the earth.  They cause the grain to grow, producing seed for the farmer and bread for the hungry.  It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit.  It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it.” Isaiah 55:6-11 (NLT)

These words remind me that God’s wisdom is not rooted in human (my) comprehension and reasoning. All my striving to uncover answers I could understand only left me stranded in the cold, but just as an out-of-season dandelion shines in the bleakness of winter, God’s message to me, to us, to persevere in our belief shimmers with hope. Will there be obstacles? No doubt! Winds to blow us off course? I’m sure! Life can be hard! The rain and snow will come. Maybe you’re feeling it piling up right now. Boy, do I understand and I’m learning we have a choice to make:  Will we let it bury us in uncertainty? Or, will we choose to stay?…Stay and believe in thoughts and ways that are higher than ours. It might not be easy and we may have to choose to believe over and over again, but when we’re stretched to our limits let’s take a lesson from a little dandelion (and God) and Just. Keep. Reaching. For. The. Son!  Who’d ever imagine that a persevering “little sign of life” could teach me a lesson that leads straight to THE Sign of Life! Just gotta believe!

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Sweet, Sweet Surrender ~ Five Minute Friday

It’s Friday, so I’m attempting to write for five minutes on the prompt, “Surrender” today. If you want to read more or join in hop over to http://www.fiveminutefriday.com

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?” Matthew 6:25-26 (NIV) / Pixabay

Time starts now.

When I started thinking about today’s prompt, “surrender”, lyrics started playing in my head.  The calm, pleasant voice of that spectacled, blond haired “country boy”,  John Denver (a popular singer back in the day for you youngsters) began singing to my soul:

“I don’t know what the future is holdin’ in store
I don’t know where I’m goin’ I’m not sure where I’ve been
There’s a spirit that guides me, a light that shines for me
My life is worth the livin’, I don’t need to see the end.”

The song continues:

“Sweet, sweet surrender, live, live without care.
Like the fish in the water, like a bird in the air.”

Wouldn’t that be lovely?  To live without care? How much time do we spend (waste) caring about what we look like, what others think about us, or what the future holds?  I can tell you right now, that for me…..It’s. Way. Too. Much!  The fish and birds have it right! They swim and fly along being just who they were designed to be. Wondering if their feathers make them look fat,  if their nest is as big as others, or if they swim faster than anyone else isn’t part of their make up.  And guess what?  It isn’t meant to be part of ours either! 

In the midst of our crazy, social media driven, high-speed lives, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and alone.  Cue the music…We must remember that there IS a Spirit who guides us and a Light that shines for us! And even when we’re worrying and scurrying, God says we’re valuable.  Think about it…..Our lives were worth dying for! And because of that, we can sing at the top our lungs right along with John, “My life is worth the livin’, I don’t need to see the end” because we KNOW the end.  So, how about it?  Ready to practice some sweet, sweet surrender? I sure am!  I continue to work on being set free from the comparison trap.  What’s one care you can give up?  Let me know in the comments below.

(Yes, yes, I know.  More than five minutes.  I’m a work in progress)

Motivate ~Five Minute Friday

“I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.” Romans 7:15 / Pixabay

After a break I’m joining back up with the Five Minute Friday gang to write for five minutes on the prompt, “Motivate”.  You can read the posts or join in at www.fiveminutefriday.com

Time starts now:

Motivation doesn’t come naturally to me.  Actually, it usually takes something big to get me to do what I know I should.  It’s not until I receive a high blood sugar report that I’m motivated to exercise.  Company coming is usually the reason that motivates me to clean my house and unfortunately, guilt is what motivates me to do a lot that I don’t want to do but know I should.

Prayer is the same for me.  When things are going smoothly I sometimes let my quiet time be filled with other things even though I know to live a life connected to Christ, I shouldn’t. Often, it’s when life becomes challenging I find the motivation to pray.  Boy, Paul knew what he was saying when he wrote those words in the “do-do” chapter…..you know the one, ” I don’t do what I should do but instead do what I shouldn’t do”!  From his pen to my lips!!!!

It’s the time of year when a lot of people are making New Year’s resolutions.  I admire those who are motivated by a goal and follow through. Me? Obviously, not so much.  It’s never too late to change though, so maybe writing these words will be motivation enough to get me started to do what I know I should do and not do what I know I shouldn’t do!! What DO you think?

 

Blinded by a Critical Eye

“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen” Ephesians 4:29 (NIV) / Pixabay

I’ve been given the gift of seeing life through a critical eye. It’s allowed me to create balance with color in my artwork, improve writing by discovering hidden mistakes and places that need revising, and to analyze my students’ work to determine where my teaching had fallen short. Even decorating my home is easier with a critical eye, as it enables me to know just where to hang things on the wall without the need of a tape measure or level.  My favorite thing about seeing through a critical eye? I think it’s that my view of the world around me comes in bits and pieces, minute details that can be easily missed.  Recognizing those little nuances gives me a greater appreciation for the intricacies of nature, helps me perceive unspoken needs and emotions in those around me, and often it offers me a clear vision when problem solving.  Sounds great doesn’t it?

Recently, my eyes were opened to recognize how blind I really am!  You see, as positive as my critical eye may be, it also can plunge me into the dark, short-sighted practice of criticism. And while hearing that wasn’t easy and as much as I wanted to defend myself, I’m ashamed to say I know it’s true.  I’m not sure where it comes from, insecurity I suppose, but it’s way too easy for my critical eye to focus on and pick apart the most insignificant things in others: the way they dress, their manner of speech, what they do or don’t do, and unfortunately the list goes on.  In hindsight, I recognize, however unintentional it’s been, being blinded by my critical eye has caused me to hurt those I care most about. In diagnosing my critical eye blindness, I’ve bumped into another realization: the vision I have of myself is also blurred. As hard as I am on those around me, I’m even harder on myself.  I tend to set my sight on my imperfections, mistakes, and failures until those are all I see.  Maybe you can relate.

So what’s a blind critical eyed gal to do? I read some very wise words this week over at http://www.CindyKrall.com 

She wrote, “Self-talk can be empowering or defeating.  Many of us are careful about what we say with regards to others, but we can fall short when it comes to the way we treat ourselves.  This verse (“No longer will there be any curse.” Revelation 22:3) reminds me that we can “curse” ourselves, sometimes without meaning to.  Christ nailed those kind of curses to the cross as well.” 

I think Cindy’s words apply not only to what we say, but to what we see in ourselves and in others, as well.

No one lights a lamp and then hides it or puts it under a basket.  Instead, it is put on a lamp stand to give light to all who enter the room.  You eye is a lamp for your body.  A pure eye lets sunshine into your soul.  But an evil eye shuts out the light and plunges you into darkness.  Make sure that the light you think you have is not really darkness.  If you are filled with light, with no dark corners, then your whole life will be radiant, as though a floodlight is shining on you.” Luke 11:33-36 (NLT)

Christ! The One who nailed curses to the cross, caused the lame to walk, the deaf to hear, and is the same One who came so the Blind. Could. See. I can’t navigate this life with the limited sight I have on my own.  Fixing my eyes on God, trying to see things from His point of view, is the only way to cure my vision problem.

I’m not big on making resolutions, however…. not just for the new year but for life, I want to resolve to use my critical eye to see the intricacies of others and myself the way God sees us;  no longer looking for ways to tear down but instead, with loving eyes, to shine a light  that encourages and uplifts! It will take work, patience, and a lot of prayer (yours are appreciated); but hopefully, I’ll be seeing more clearly very soon!

“Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost, but now am found
Was blind but now, I See!
~John Newton~

 

 

 

 

 

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