“Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things endures all things.” 1 Corinthians 13:7(ESV)
Bear
Taking a photo walk in the woods I spotted something I couldn’t identify. Thinking at first that it was a dead animal I hesitated to venture any closer. Realizing (a little later than I should have) that I held a zoom lens in my hand, I focused in on the mysterious find. To my surprise it was a Teddy Bear with no clue as to how it got there.
A sense of sadness overtook me as I looked through the view finder. What was meant to be loved and cherished was instead laying in the midst of decaying leaves, a most unexpected place, abandoned and alone and it hit close to home.
Maybe you, like me, at one time or another have found yourself in a situation you never anticipated you’d be in: illness, betrayal, finances, failures, any of those things that can leave us laid out flat. Our comfortable lives suddenly fall to pieces and instead of sensing God’s love, we find ourselves lonely and feeling forsaken.
“The LORD hears his people when they call to him for help. He rescues them from all their troubles. The LORD is close to the brokenhearted;”
Psalm 34:17-18a (NLT)
When we are surprised by life with no idea how we got where we are, the Psalmist reminds us that unlike the poor bear in the woods, WE are not on our own. God is near, and when we call to him, He hears and binds our hearts with His love.
I don’t have any idea who that bear belongs to, but because of Jesus we each can know to Whom we belong and we can be sure that He’ll never fail or abandon us. Yes, there may be times we feel lost and alone but my friends God sees us and He knows exactly where we are.
“For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost.” Luke 19:10(NLT)
“This is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.” 1 John 4:10
Simple Facts
Trivial Pursuit is not my game of choice. The few times I’ve attempted to play it has only confirmed what I’ve always known; I do not have a mind for facts. Dates, boundaries, formulas, achievements and the like, all just slip through my little brain like water through a sieve.
“Simpleminded” is more how I would describe myself. Oh, I was able to answer a few ( but very few) questions, such as, “What is the name of the bear that resides in Jelly Stone Park?” Yes, that was actually on a card I drew. And of course, “Yogi” slipped confidently from my eager lips. Let’s just say I didn’t come in first because that my friends, is the caliber of information that resides in my head.
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 (NIV)
Thank goodness the plan for salvation is not complicated and our pursuit of God is not based on formulas we must adhere to, achievements we must make, boundaries that keep us out, or dates we must meet. It is offered in a way that each of us can understand and recall.
Victory is simple. Confidently answering God’s call to believe Jesus is His Son who died for our sins is all we need to do to have eternal life with Him. Then my friends, everything that’s important will forever reside in our hearts. Because of God’s love, we win! Now, that’s a fact I’ll always remember! How about you?
Happy Valentine’s Day!
“I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:14
“The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.” Psalm 23:1 (ESV)
Sheep
“Know that the LORD is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.”
Psalm 100:3 (NIV)
Adjusting from city life to country life wasn’t always easy. As a matter of fact, sometimes it was downright painful. The farm family I first stayed with taught me a lot, but the farmer himself believed in letting me learn on my own. Let me give you an example:
Being a witness to baby animals being born was something I never dreamed I’d do. I was especially taken with the lambs. Wanting one to know and trust me was my goal and so, each day after teaching school I’d change into my “farm” clothes and head to the barn for a metal scoop full of shelled corn. Slowly, I’d open the gate to the sheep pen and ease my way in.
“Little Buck” was my choice to make a pet and slowly but surely my plan began to work.I’d shake the corn so it rattled in the scoop and call his name. When he’d come within reach I’d offer him the corn. Before too long I could shake the kernels on my way to the paddock and by the time I’d get to the gate Buck would be there to greet me. The farmer stood back and watched.
Over time I decided to go a step further and when Buck reached his tongue for the treat, I lifted the scoop and patted my chest. Was I proud when soon he began jumping up on me with glee to get his corn. The farmer smiled.
Life, as life often does got in the way of my visits to sit among the sheep. Buck grew into a handsome fellow. One beautiful evening I was on the farm for supper and decided to give him a visit. As always, I gathered a scoop of corn and walked through the gate giving it a shake. Before I finished calling his name, Buck the not so little sheep came running. See where this is going? Sure enough, he’d remembered everything I’d “taught” him and with exuberance my pet jumped up and knocked me off my feet and directly onto my rear in a matter of seconds. The farmer laughed with gusto.
The Psalmist reminds us that God made us to be the sheep of His pasture, but it doesn’t stop there. The familiar 23rd Psalm also tells us that the LORD is our Shepherd. As I think back on my class in sheep school, instead of getting to know and trust me, my sheep only saw the corn in my hand. God doesn’t want us forming a habit of running to Him to see what He will give us or to leap at anything that sounds good. Having a Shepherd makes all the difference because it is about relationship, spending time getting to know one another, and about caring.
Psalm 23 goes on to say that because the LORD is our Shepherd we lack nothing. He knows our every need and provides when we require rest, long for refreshment, or seek soul nourishment. God guides us, is ever present in trouble, pulls us back in the fold when we’ve gotten ourselves lost, and He is our true source of comfort.
God knows us by name. “We are His people, the sheep of His pasture.” How will we respond when He calls?
“How precious is your unfailing love, O God! People take refuge in the shadow of your wings.” Psalm 36:7(NIV)
Nesting
“For you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the foe. I long to dwell in your tent forever and take refuge in the shelter of your wings.” Psalm 61:3-4 (NIV)
Each year when nesting season arrives I’m always amazed at the skill that goes into preparing the empty bird house I hang on a branch into the perfect place to lay eggs and raise a brood. Sticks of the right size, shape, and texture are chosen then woven tightly together into a fortress for the family. Second hand shopping comes next with castoff string, feathers, cloth, or whatever’s available being collected to use as lining in the nest for added comfort and insulation. This process takes a while as things go in and others come out until the new dwelling place is ready to welcome its precious inhabitants.
Not too long ago my grand-“chicks” did the same thing. I provided the empty “tent” and they went to work making it exactly as they wanted it. They placed chairs in precise positions to keep unwanted visitors out. Blankets, pillows, stuffed animals, and a myriad of toys were hauled in to make the space familiar and comfortable. (Not much was brought back out-they do like their stuff!) Finally, after much positioning and repositioning their private refuge from the world was ready for its occupants.
That nesting desire is in all of us, I think. There’s something inside that urges us to search for a place of retreat and rest, somewhere we feel comfortable and protected. As I ponder this, it occurs to me that for we who dwell in this far from perfect world, perhaps what we long for isn’t actually a where but rather a Who.
The Psalmist reminds us, and I don’t know about you but I often need it, that GOD is our refuge. HE is our fortress. HE is where we find shelter. When trouble comes, sorrow fills, fear threatens, and anything else we may be wanting to escape from, HE is our stronghold. Through prayer, Scripture, and worship we find our way to Him. He’s ready. He’s got us covered. God, is waiting to welcome us home.
“Then he asked them, ‘Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?'” Mark 4:40 (NLT)
Raft
“Lord, help!” they cried in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress. He calmed the storm to a whisper and stilled the waves. What a blessing was that stillness as he brought them safely into harbor!” Psalm 107:28-30 (NLT)
Gripping tightly to what feels like nothing, my emotions toss me to and fro. Fear washes over me. Unanchored, I’ve lost sight of the shore in a storm of my own creation. Sinking fast like a small raft on the raging sea, waves of doubt begin to pull me under. Ever found yourself in a similar situation?
The truth? This has unfortunately been my go-to voyage in tough times, but I really thought I was now better prepared for the storms of life. After all, my family has just come through a downpour of devastating news, broken hearts, exhaustion, and fear, We also experienced God’s peace, His presence, grace, and mercy. He guided us when we couldn’t see a way. He heard our cries and prayers. I saw firsthand what God can do, so how am I now back on that sinking raft lost and afraid?
Let’s for a moment get in the boat with the Disciples. Everyone takes their seats relieved to be crossing to the other side. Jesus rests. Suddenly, a fierce storm blows in and waves crash into the boat. Can you see what happens next? Sinking fear takes over. Peace is lost. Sound familiar?
Like me, and I would guess you, the Disciples also witnessed what Jesus could do. He was in their midst and yet, waves of doubt washed over them as they shouted, “Don’t you care?” (My cry of distress exactly) Back in that boat Jesus calms the storm, the Disciples question who this man is, and Jesus questions their faith. It’s the last part that really gets me.
The Bible is full of those who’s faith falters like ours often does. From them we learn that it takes time (maybe a lifetime) traveling with Jesus to help us not get back on that rickety raft but instead, to call on the One who quiets the waves and calms the storm within us. It’s in that stillness we find relief knowing soon cross safely to the other side.
“The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:22-23 (ESV)
Ordinary
“This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalm 118:24 (ESV)
Putting on my glasses helps me see better, but not as well as by putting on years. Age has offered me a new way to look at my days and it’s now clear to me that not one of them is ordinary!
Oh sure, I often do the same ole things, in the same ole ways, in the same ole places, but stop for a moment with me and think about it. There’s nothing ordinary about waking up to a new day, even if it is to the same things. Life teaches us through the years that instead, it’s an extravagant gift many don’t receive. Realizing this, now has me seeking the “extraordinary” in the midst of my “normal”.
Maybe like me, you’ve been through something that has opened your eyes to the truth that God places remarkable little things for us to find, even when the way is very dark. He puts them for us to notice in our “same ole” too, as reminders of His extravagant love. A smile, a letter, the unexpected beauty in nature (I love those), a parking spot, or even getting in the short check-out line at the store. They’re always there and the list is endless.
Recently, I heard a line in a song that said, “If you want to see the sunshine, you just have to open the blinds.” Here’s the thing, we can let ourselves walk around blinded by the idea that our lives are ordinary, or, we can open our eyes and look for the extraordinary in them. Will you join me in making it a goal to try and wake each morning as the Psalmist, rejoicing because God has given us another day? I’m learning it helps us to see more clearly God’s handiwork in all the little things He has just for us. And when we spot them? There’s only one thing to do: “Let us rejoice and be glad in it!”
“Jesus replied, ‘Anyone who drinks this water will soon become thirsty again. But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again.'” John 4:13-14a (NLT)
Longing
“As the deer longs for streams of water, so I long for you, O God.” Psalm 42:1 (NLT)
For as long as I can remember I’ve been drawn to the water. Stream, river, pond, lake, or ocean, it doesn’t matter. The truth be told, I’ve even been known to seek out a puddle after the rain to satisfy the persistent longing I feel.
Have you felt it too? That unoccupied space somewhere deep within and leaves you wanting?
How we seek to fill that void is different for each of us and we need to be careful because we’re vulnerable to looking in the wrong places and at the wrong things to rid ourselves of the emptiness.
While there’s nothing wrong with a desire for the peace, contentment, and refuge I find near water (replace this with your own version), do I, do you, so long for what God provides in the same way? The Psalmist says, just like a deer thirsts for a drink of water, his soul thirsts for God. Are we seeking God to satisfy our longings as much or even more than we do earthly solutions?
Here’s what I’m learning about longing:
The more we go to God with our emptiness for His fulfillment, the less we desire those things we’ve attempted to use on our own. Do you have a depleted, parched soul? I know it happens to me. Before we plan to do something about it, let’s remember to “so” long for God’s refreshment first, letting Him be the biggest desire of our heart.
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV)>JESHOOTS.com at Pexels
Risk-Free Life
Imagine a person who lives her life on the “safe side of the sidewalk”, who to stay there, crosses only within the boundaries of the crosswalk and not until the light says go.
Imagine a person who wears a life preserver even in calm, shallow waters for fear something will rock her boat.
Imagine a person who avoids anything too fast, too closed in, too challenging, or worst of all, too unknown!
Imagine a person with numerous big ideas, bigger dreams, longings, and callings that remain buried and unfulfilled rather than attempting to venture outside her comfort zone.
Imagine a person attempting to live out her life without encountering risk.
Now……
Imagine the One who went to the cross, became the light, and has removed the boundaries between Heaven and earth.
Imagine the One who preserves life for eternity, calms the stormy seas, and beckons us to get out of the boat.
Imagine the One who finds nothing in this fast-paced world challenging, invites us to join Him in spacious places**, and to whom every little part of us is known.
Imagine the One who, to fulfill God’s plan was buried but didn’t remain there; instead, He sits at the right hand of the Father calling us to follow Him to bigger and better things than we could have ever dreamed of.
Imagine the One who risked it all to give us life.
Now……
Imagine what could happen if a person let go of her fear and put all her trust in the One!
Now…..THAT would be truly living a risk-free life!
P.S. We don’t have to just “imagine”!
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.” Proverbs 3:5-6 (NLT)
Joining today with other writers in TWO places! You can learn more at http://www.fiveminutefriday.com and https://anitaojeda.com/welcome-to-the-write-28-days-blogging-challenge/ This week’s Five Minute Friday prompt is “Risk” and the prompt for Day 21 of the Write 28 Days Challenge is “Numerous”. I know you’ll enjoy reading the offerings on both sites! As always, I hope you know how much I appreciate the support you give me by being here! **five minutes
“God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another.” 1 Peter 4:10 (NLT)
More Than Enough
Over the years, I’ve been inspired by several excellent cooks and one of my favorites was my friend, Evelyn. She always created dishes that lured you back for seconds! (And maybe thirds if it was her homemade bread and jelly!) Now, most people would be happy if their guests left little behind at the end of a meal, but not Evelyn. Her philosophy was to provide all we could eat and still have more to serve. “Enough” was not in Evelyn’s vocabulary. She’d always keep watch and when she saw something running low, she was ready to fill it right back up. By her example, I’ve learned to always be prepared to offer more than enough. And that’s exactly what I try to do whether cooking for two or twenty-two! I only wish I was better at applying “Evelyn’s Way” when offering my talents, too.
“By this time it was late in the day, so his disciples came to him. ‘This is a remote place,’ they said, ‘and it’s already very late. Send the people away so that they can go to the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat.’ But He answered, ‘ You give them something to eat.’ They said to Him, ‘That would take more than half a year’s wages! Are we to go and spend that much on bread and give it to them to eat?’ ‘How many loves do you have?’ He asked. ‘Go and see.’ When they found out, they said, ‘Five-and two fish.’ Then Jesus directed them to have all the people sit down in groups on the green grass. So they sat down in groups of hundreds and fifties. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, He gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then He gave them to his disciples to distribute to the people. He also divided the two fish among them all. They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces of bread and fish. The number of the men who had eaten was five thousand.” Mark 6:35-44 (NIV)
I’m afraid when it comes to thinking about offering to others the talents and abilities God’s given me, I’m an awful lot like the disciples in the scripture above, offering excuses instead: “Wrong place and time, There’s someone else who can serve them, I don’t have the means, Surely, you don’t expect that of me?” I’m still learning, maybe I’m not the only one, the same thing the disciples were: that when we place our little into Jesus’s hands, He’ll make it into more than enough to be shared with those around us!
I don’t know about you, but for me, in today’s social media driven world, it’s easy to look around and feel I don’t have as much on my plate to offer as others do. But, just as a meal in Evelyn’s hands provided her family and friends with all they needed and more, so are we in the hands of the One who has given us our talent in the first place. He’s watching and ready to fill us with not just enough, but rather in “Evelyn’s Way”; so, that whether we’re around the table, sitting in the green grass, or anywhere else, we’ll have more than enough of what we need to serve one another OR even five thousand others, well!
Joining today with other writers in TWO places! You can learn more at http://www.fiveminutefriday.com and https://anitaojeda.com/welcome-to-the-write-28-days-blogging-challenge/ This week’s Five Minute Friday prompt is “Talent” and the prompt for Day 7 of the Write 28 Days Challenge is “Enough”. I know you’ll enjoy reading the offerings on both sites! As always, I hope you know how much I appreciate the support you give me by being here!
The beginning of a trip is always difficult. There are preparations to be made, suitcases to be packed, things that must be left behind, and you actually have to take that first step to be on your way. Our life journey leading to see our true selves is not so different: We spend time preparing, carry A LOT of baggage to bring along (most of mine has been gathered, carefully folded, and packed away by yours truly), there are definitely things we’d like to leave behind, and stepping into who we’re meant to be often proves to be a little daunting. But, if we’re going to get anywhere, step out we must.
“So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. Genesis 1:27 (NLT)
When looking in a mirror, how often do we say to ourselves, “Wow! I am the spitting image of God!” I don’t know about you, but I’m not sure that’s ever been my response as I’ve analyzed the reflection staring back at me. Why is that?
“Then God looked over all he had made, and he saw that it was very good!” Genesis 1:31a (NLT)
Did you catch that? God didn’t look at humankind and say, “I guess they’re ok.” And he didn’t even describe His creation as “good”; no, God looked upon all he’d made, including man and woman and declared them to be VERY good! Again, there are few times that I stand in front of a mirror and describe what I see as “very good” and I have a feeling I’m not alone.
So, when did we (OK, me) begin to look at ourselves and focus only on the unruly, curly hair (or freckles, weight, sagging skin…you get the idea) instead of seeing the image of God? What causes us to point out all the negative things we pick up on rather than leaning in closer to find the reflection of Christ? And why do we feel we must try harder, work longer, achieve more to make up for our perceived shortcomings when “In the beginning God…”
We can spend so much time believing we’re not enough that we forget that God IS. This is where my journey, and yours too must begin! When we travel to learn more about who God created us to be, we’ll be headed toward a destination where old thoughts and ways can be left behind, extra baggage we’ve been carrying will be unpacked, and we can confidently step into who we’re meant to be. Exploring new places (especially within ourselves) can sometimes be difficult. There may be wrong turns, detours, dead ends, and if you’re like me, we’ll ask, “Are we there yet:” (probably more than once); but from the beginning, God invited us to join Him on the open road and sent Jesus to help get us to our journey’s end:
“But whenever someone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord-who is the Spirit-makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.” 2 Corinthians
Yes, with the Lord we are changing! Step by step, He teaches us to trust His plan, how to lighten our load, and to leave worrying about our old selves (curly hair, wrinkles, and all) behind. From beginning to end, our journey to becoming more like Christ is leading us to a place where we’ll finally learn to look at ourselves in the mirror, see the “glorious image” He sees, and truly believe, “It is very good!”
Joining today with other writers in TWO places! You can learn more at http://www.fiveminutefriday.com and https://anitaojeda.com/welcome-to-the-write-28-days-blogging-challenge/ This week’s Five Minute Friday prompt is “Life” and the prompt for Day 1 of the Write 28 Days Challenge is “Begin”. I know you’ll enjoy reading the offerings on both sites! As always, I hope you know how much I appreciate the support you give me by being here!
