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God’s Unfailing Love

Posted in Blessings, Encouragement, God's Love, Uncategorized, tagged Blessings, Christ, Encouragement, God's Love, God's Provision, Psalm 33:22, Romans 8:38-39 on September 1, 2014| 9 Comments »

Not long ago I came upon this Bible verse:

“May your unfailing love rest upon us” (Psalm 33:22a).

Not exactly a new concept for those of us who know God and have entrusted our lives to him. We know that God loves us.

But that day, each word (with a bit of tweaking!) spoke particular truth from my Heavenly Father. Below are the impressions he laid upon my heart. I pray that a thought or two will bring encouragement to you as well.

My:

My love for you is holy — totally separate from any human love — because it is:

Pure – never the result of ulterior motives
Sacrificial – proven at Calvary when I, God the Son, gave up my life for you
Unchanging – in the past (because I loved you before you were born), in the present (even when you’re not at your best), and into eternity (when my love will be expressed in total bliss).

Unfailing:

Never will I “fall out of love” with you. There is nothing in this world that can stop me from loving you. No matter what you do, nothing can separate you from my love.

And remember, my love is an unfailing, all-powerful force. I make all things work for your good – even when you go through pain and trials. Cling to that promise, child. Good will always prevail in the end.

Love:

My love for you is much more than warm affection. I am passionate about you and devoted to you. My faithfulness to you will never fail.

I am your Heavenly Father. Think of all the ways I express my love to you every day – through kindness, grace, mercy, faithfulness, blessing, wisdom, guidance, strength, comfort, peace and more. It’s a long list, isn’t it.

Neither are these love-expressions infrequent or intermittent. Constantly I am expressing my love to you.

And everything I say and do comes from a heart of holy, perfect love.

Rests:

My love comes to rest upon you. It’s attached to you, never wanes, and never will be removed.

And because I am continually expressing my love, you can rest in confidence that I will care for you. When worry and fear start to creep in, turn your spiritual eyes on me.

Start recounting all the ways I’ve expressed my love to you in the past, and rest in confidence that my pure, sacrificial, unchanging love will see you through – not just to survive, but to triumph!

Upon:

My love is not earned; it is bestowed upon you. You do not need to perform marvelous deeds for me. Nor do I withdraw my love because you are not perfect.

What gives me pleasure is love-motivated progress toward spiritual maturity. I also revel in your efforts to seek my presence. But even these actions do not cause me to love you more. My love for you is already total and complete.

You:

Yes, you. I made you. I created your inmost being and knit you together in your mother’s womb. I prepared all the days of your life before even one of them came to be.

And I love you – completely and forever. My unfailing love most assuredly rests upon you.

(Romans 8:28, 38-39; Psalm 89:33; Psalm 139:13-16.)

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In Christ

Posted in Blessings, Encouragement, Excellence, God's Presence, Godly Character, Intimacy with God, Jesus, Joy, Maturity, Praise, Prayer, Uncategorized, Worship, tagged 2 Corinthians 5:17, Blessings, Contentment, Encouragement, Faith, in Christ, Intimacy with Jesus, Jesus' Presence, John 15:1-8 on August 25, 2014| 8 Comments »

‘Ever watch one of those television shows that provides a person with a complete makeover? By the end of the hour she (or sometimes he) has acquired a personalized, updated wardrobe, learned how to apply make-up, and received a new hair-do. The physical transformation is always stunning.

However, there is a transformation even more amazing. Paul explains it this way:

“If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come” (2 Corinthians 5:17).

Those of us in Christ haven’t just been adjusted, primped, polished, or camouflaged. We have become new people with clean slates, strong purpose, deep joy, and vibrant enthusiasm for life.

And that’s not all. Each day we’re becoming better than the day before–a bit more perfected–if we remain in Christ. Sarah Young (Jesus Calling) says we’re becoming more fully our true selves–the ones God designed us to be. I like that.

Each day in Christ is an opportunity to grow more completely into his glorious image. These changes have nothing to do with outward appearance. They take place on the inside, impacting our personalities, emotions, minds, and spirits.

That expression, in Christ (also “in the Lord” and “in him”), occurs 164 times in Paul’s letters. Such repetition would indicate the importance of the concept.

So how would we define the meaning of being “in Christ?” Here are a few possibilities.

1. In Christ means we live within his presence. Now that’s a rather abstract concept. Perhaps an analogy would increase our understanding.

Picture yourself surrounded by trees in a forest. The woods fill your senses—the sight of tall, stately trees, the sound of chirping birds, the aroma of pine and earth, the textures of rough bark and velvety moss, the taste of cold, clear water from a stream.

Similarly, the presence of Christ completely surrounds us as believers. Christ fills the senses of our hearts, if we avail ourselves. We see more fully the glory of his creation, hear his truth, breathe in his love like a fine fragrance, feel his strength upholding us, and taste his goodness in the feast of blessings he provides.

Such sensations change who we are. In Christ, we can become stable, contented, joy-filled people.

2. In Christ means we are united with him, like a branch fused to the vine (John 15:1-8). He is the Source of everything we need, but we must stay in contact with him. How do we do that with Someone who’s invisible? Possibilities include prayer, praise, gratitude, and worship–throughout the day.

And when we’re united with him, his peace and strength are infused into us.

3. In Christ means we’re in close relationship with him. Never should there “be day when we give ourselves a chance to forget him” (William Barclay).

And when we live in the presence of Christ, and in union with Christ, the inner transformation he has instituted will most definitely become visible. Jesus’ character will begin to flow through our attitudes and actions, just as sap flows through the vine into the branches. Attitudes like kindness, understanding, and forgiveness will give strong evidence that we’re living in Christ.

And what will the people around us see? Folks who…

exude joy and optimism.
are gracious to others.
exhibit self-control.
make wise choices.
aim to express love–always.

Such delightful, purposeful living awaits those who center themselves in Christ.

* * * * * * * * * *

Thank you, Lord Jesus, for the supreme privilege of living in your presence. You are the King of the universe, yet you want to be united with us in close relationship. And as we avail ourselves, you infuse us with your attributes, your strength, your peace. All praise to you, gracious Savior, the Author and Perfecter of our faith, as we abide in you.

(Photo credits: www.brotherransome.com, http://www.wikipedia.org., and alishagratehouse.com.)

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Slow and Steady

Posted in Encouragement, Excellence, God's Goodness, Maturity, Perseverance, Uncategorized, tagged Christian Maturity, Colossians 2:6, Encouragement, God's Goodness, God's Ways, Godly Character, Isaiah 61:3, James 1:4, Perseverance, Psalm 92:14 on August 21, 2014| 8 Comments »

Elena, almost eighteen months old, loves to collect acorns. A grand oak tree on the church property across the street from her home provides perfect hunting grounds. She trundles along the edge of the sidewalk, her eyes on the grassy edge. Now and then she bends over, chooses a prime specimen, and clutches it tightly to her chest.

Yesterday was a banner day for acorns. Way too many shiny nuts with perfect caps. Her little hands couldn’t carry them all. I was given the honor of transporting a few of her treasures home. And this opportunity became the starting point for a train of thoughts.

You’ve no doubt noticed this yourself: acorns do not appear capable of producing oak trees. They’re too small and too hard. How can the seeds inside even escape those tough shells? Yet given the right soil, the right climate, and plenty of time, the miracle of growth occurs. White oak trees can reach the height of 150 feet, growing twelve to fourteen inches per year. Acorns do not appear until the twentieth year. In the end, the majestic giant provides hundreds of benefits (www.arborday.org and http://www.ehow.com).

Now a few tall plants, like bamboo, grow very quickly. But not tall, strong trees. I wonder why?

We humans are also slow-growing–in body and spirit. And I wonder about that, too. Why didn’t God make us more like bamboo, able to reach maturity quickly? Instead, we progress through a protracted, sometimes painful learning process to become “mature, lacking in nothing” (James 1:4).

Perhaps God willed our development to happen slowly so we have many opportunities to follow his chosen path and fulfill the potential he’s especially prepared for each of us. A false step in the wrong direction can be corrected, just as a crooked tree can be straightened if attended to promptly.

Yes, there are those who choose not to mature, not to participate with God.

But we know that God is good, that what he does is good. I want him to train and teach me (Psalm 119:68). My guess is you feel the same.

Day by day, choice by choice, we can progress along the spectrum from self-centered to selfless, from impatient to patient, from lesser to greater. But we have to realize: it happens slowly over time.

Here’s another possibility, even better than just accepting slow progress. Let’s embrace it.

You see, our culture tends to look at time as a thief who steals away our youth, worth, mental acuity, and energy.

But what if we view time as a gift–a gift of countless opportunities provided day by day, choice by choice–to grow into the mature and gracious people God ordained? Instead of regretting the passage of time we can celebrate:

Our progress to become rooted and built up in Jesus, strengthened in our faith (Colossians 2:6).
The growing ability to bear fruit (the fruit of the Spirit, exemplary living, glorifying God to others)–even into old age (Psalm 92:14).
Becoming “oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord, for the display of his splendor” (Isaiah 61:3).

Oh, I like that last verse especially, don’t you?

And it can happen through slow and steady perseverance, with God as our guide.

(Photo credits: www.bio.brandeis.edu; http://www.treetopics.com; http://www.awesometools.com.)

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Unexpected Blessings

Posted in Blessings, God's Goodness, God's Grace, God's Love, tagged Blessings, God's Goodness, God's Grace, God's Love, God's Provision on August 14, 2014| 13 Comments »

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Eric, our older son, and I were chatting on the phone.

“Mom, did you happen to save my old Uncle Wiggly book from when I was little?”

Uncle Wiggly? Goodness. I hadn’t thought about that old rabbit and his adventures for years.

“I doubt that we have it,” I responded. “Didn’t each of you kids already take the children’s books you wanted? I think all we have are the leftovers we’ve saved for the grandchildren.”

“No, I don’t have it either,” he replied.

“Well, maybe it was just too worn out to save,” I offered.

“Could be,” Eric said. “I was hoping to find a copy because it would be such fun to share with our Elena when she gets a little older.”

He paused for a moment. “Remember the picture of Uncle Wiggly in his car?”

No, I didn’t remember.

“The wheels were made from big, fat sausages. That was my favorite page. But every illustration was full of imaginative detail like that,” he reminisced.

That would explain why Eric, our artist, would have such fondness for this particular book.

“I even checked on Craig’s List to see if anyone might have a copy, but didn’t find one.”

Wow. He did have a big soft spot for Uncle Wiggly. And I had a big case of guilt for getting rid of it. Why hadn’t I remembered that book was his favorite? How could I have thrown it away, even if it was tattered?

Months later, my husband, Steve, and I were sorting through boxes in the garage. Two of the boxes contained the children’s books we still owned.

Maybe we could pare down to one box, I thought.

I started unloading the books and organizing them into piles. At the very bottom of the second box was—you guessed it–Uncle Wiggly. And it wasn’t in such bad shape after all.

I whispered a prayer of gratitude for this small but precious gift—a blessing that I hadn’t even asked for.

Does it seem to you that unexpected blessings bring the most joy? Perhaps that’s true because they give us glimpses of God’s love and grace–love and grace that is:

Undeserved. Just as he “gave” me a book I had not searched for nor prayed for, God loved and provided for us before we ever searched for him or prayed to know him.

Personal. Surely there are not many folks who would delight in finding Uncle Wiggly. The blessing of discovering its whereabouts was, it seems, personalized just for me (and Eric).

Similarly, God’s love and grace is personal. Remember the parable of the lost lamb?

“God loves each of us as if there was only one of us”—St. Augustine.

Lavish. It is doubtful a copy of Uncle Wiggly will turn up at a Sotheby’s auction. It is not a valuable antique volume for which collectors will pay thousands of dollars. But for me, finding that book at the bottom of the box was like finding buried treasure, placed there by God himself. It was an unnecessary but perfectly lovely gift from my Heavenly Father.

I couldn’t wait to call Eric and share with him the good news.

* * * * * * * * * *

What unexpected blessing have you received that caused you great joy? Please share your story in the comment section below!

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Surprised by Love

Posted in God's Delight, God's Love, God's Presence, Joy, Praise, Uncategorized, Worship, tagged Ephesians 3:18, God's Love, God's Presence, Joy, Praise, Psalm 147:11, Worship on August 11, 2014| 16 Comments »

Our son was telling me about the church he and his wife attend.

“You should hear this mother and daughter play their violins together. The girl is only ten or eleven, but she’s very talented. I think the mom is teaching her.”

It would be delightful to hear them, I thought.

Several months later, I happened to attend their church when the mother and daughter were scheduled to play. My heart was filled with delicious anticipation as they approached the piano with their violins.

Soon soft, mellow notes of melody and harmony resonated through the broad, high-ceilinged sanctuary. My son had not been exaggerating. They were both gifted violinists.

I had to hold back the tears.

Yes, the sweet music touched my spirit. However, my reaction arose from more than that.

The music was greatly enhanced by the mystical bond between mother and daughter.

One evidence of that bond was the subtle means by which the two remained in sync. The mother would nod her head or sway slightly as she directed the music. However, the girl didn’t actually watch. Just every now and then she would make eye contact over her violin–and smile at her mother like an angel—pure, innocent, and tender.

Her eyes seemed to say, “I love doing this with you,” Mother smiled her love and pleasure in return.

In fact, the very atmosphere seemed to be permeated with love during those moments. But the affection of parent and child was only a part.

The Spirit of God and his love flowed in wondrous waves through the music and that mother and daughter. God’s love—the width, length, height, and depth that Paul spoke of*– filled every nook of that sanctuary.

Surely I was not the only one who felt wrapped in God’s warm embrace during those moments.

And to be loved by God is no small matter.

He is the Master of the universe and the King of glory. Angels sing his praises continually. And yet he delights in us, who reverence him and put our hope in his unfailing love (Psalm 147:11).

Isn’t that knowledge alone enough to astound the intellect and overwhelm the heart with joy?

The only possible response is worship, from a heart overflowing with gratitude. An overflow that often becomes tears, as praise intertwines with the invisible but palpable touch of God.

And I can almost hear him say, “I love doing this with you.”

* * * * * * * * * *

When has the overflow of love for God and gratitude to him brought you to tears? Share your story in the Comment section below.

*Ephesians 3:18

(Photo credit: www.visualphotos.com.)

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Our Time vs. God’s Time

Posted in God's Love, God's Wisdom, Maturity, Patience, Prayer, Uncategorized, Waiting on God, tagged Acts 17:26, Chronos, God's Timing, God's Wisdom, Kairos, Patience, Psalm 75:2, Waiting on God on August 7, 2014| 13 Comments »

Does it ever seem to you that God shows up late sometimes? Surely you’ve had it happen to you. In spite of persistent prayer and patient waiting (OK, almost patient), God did not intervene in a timely manner.

For example:

Applications for grad school were turned down—three years in a row. Finally, the fourth year, acceptance was granted. Why?

The job you needed ASAP didn’t materialize for two years. Why?

The bracelet that had been your grandmother’s suddenly disappeared. Heartsick, you searched and searched and prayed to find it. No bracelet. Suddenly, months later, there it was–caught in a sweater you hadn’t worn in ages. Why?

Why the delay???

I know this sounds impertinent, but in all of these cases and many more, it would appear God was not paying attention.

Or…

…Could it be God operates in a different time frame, one not governed by days, months, or years?

After all, God is eternally the same, always was and always will be. Time is rather inconsequential to him. He lives in a dimension where past, present, and future are not separated.

Time for God is measured more in seasons. Paul included the concept in his persuasive address at Athens:

“From one man [God] made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live” (Acts 17:26).

The Greek word Paul used in that verse is kairos. It means, “the suitable or appropriate time for something to occur or for something to be accomplished.”

In his speech, Paul was referring to the appropriate times certain people-groups would rise to power, such as the Egyptians, Assyrians, Greeks, and Romans.

The Greeks had a second word for time: chronos. This is the kind of time we measure with clocks and calendars. This is our comfort zone–the kind of time we know and understand best. Perhaps that’s why we anticipate God should operate within chronos.

But kairos is God’s time, as in “I choose the appointed time, it is I who judge uprightly” (Psalm 75:2).

Taking the definition of kairos into consideration, this verse would read:

“I choose the suitable and appropriate time to accomplish my purposes.”

And what would be the foundation of God’s choice of kairos?

His righteousness.

“Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne” (Psalm 89:15).

Everything God does is right, including when he does it.

His wisdom.

“Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out” (Romans 11:33)!

It’s been said: “If I had the power of God, there are many things that I would change; but if I had the wisdom of God, I would not change a thing.”

That would include the timing of events, too.

His love.

“God showed how much he loved us by sending his one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him” (1 John 4:9, NLT).

Would a God who loves like that fail to pay attention, and mess up the timing of his involvement?

Kairos implies “at just the right time.”

At just the right time, the door opened for grad school.

At just the right time, that job was provided.

At just the right time, the keepsake bracelet was found.

By not asking why we had to wait, perhaps we demonstrate a modicum of maturity.

(Art credit: www.inscribewritersonline.blogspot.com.)

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God Is My Portion

Posted in Blessings, God, God's Goodness, God's Power, God's Presence, God's Provision, God's Strength, Uncategorized, tagged Asaph, God's Attributes, psalm 73, Psalm 73:26 on July 31, 2014| 13 Comments »

Have you met Asaph? He was one of the worship leaders appointed by King David. Twelve of the psalms are credited to him or his sons, including #73.

Read that particular psalm in a modern translation or paraphrase, and you’ll think Asaph is a present-day poet. He writes about pretentious, arrogant people who wear the latest fashions–how they’re pampered, overfed, and full of hot air.

“People actually listen to them—can you believe it?” he complains (vs. 6-10, The Message).

Asaph found his attention drawn to these people who seemed to have it made. He lost sight of true reality for a moment–until he refocused on God and his ways. Asaph realized that many who appear confident and successful are actually on a slippery slope toward disaster. They do not know God.

Tucked at the end of Psalm 73 Asaph celebrates a number of glorious blessings we enjoy as children of the Most High God:

He is as close as a father holding his son or daughter by the hand
With perfect wisdom he guides us through life
When our earthly lives are completed, he’ll take us to heaven to be with him
He is our strength—dependable and empowering
He is our portion forever (vs. 23-26)

These are precious gifts that money cannot buy. God—our constant companion, our perfect guide, our omnipotent strength. Simply affirming such attributes can energize my spirit and provide new resolve.

But one concept does leave me puzzled: “God, my portion.”

A bit of research revealed that the statement, “My portion forever,” is a metaphor taken from an ancient custom of the Jews. When the patriarch of a family died, they would divide the inheritance among the sons. Each would receive his allotted portion, and have his basic necessities taken care of.

The psalmist is proclaiming that GOD is his portion. That portion includes the Lord’s presence, power, strength, peace, joy—all supplied in generous measure. And those are just a few of his many attributes, blessing us with sublime goodness.

Unlike the inherited portion of ancient times, all of God’s children receive all of him, not just a part.

And God as our portion will never diminish. Never could we exhaust all of these attributes. He will be our gracious, caring, empowering Heavenly Father forever.

“As for me, it is good to be near God,” the psalmist continued (v. 28). He’s saying, to live with God is good for us.

Oh, yes. To rest secure upon him as our foundation is the epitome of peace.

To allow him to work through us to fulfill his perfect plan is the essence of fulfillment.

To know that heaven awaits is the height of security.

God as our portion means complete wholeness and absolute contentment.

Who could want anything more?

* * * * * * * * * *

Like Asaph, Father, I can lose my focus on what is truly important and valuable. Thank you for this timeless psalm that draws me back to you and the splendorous gifts you offer. Thank you for nurturing me so that I may affirm with Asaph: “ Earth has nothing I desire besides you” (v. 25). Amen—so be it.

(Photo credit: www.susancady.com.)

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A.M. Attitude Adjustment

Posted in Appreciation, Blessings, God's Provision, Joy, Renewing the Mind, tagged Appreciation, Blessings, Choosing Our Attitudes, Encouragement, God's Goodness, Joy, Renewing the Mind on July 28, 2014| 8 Comments »

Getting ready to leave the house in the morning is such a chore, isn’t it? The routine of washing, brushing, flossing, primping, rolling (the hair!), fluffing, spraying, etc. gets SO tiresome.

While I completed each chore the other morning, Barbara Johnson (popular speaker and author of Women-of-Faith fame) came to mind. In one of her books, So, Stick a Geranium in Your Hat and Be Happy! (Word Publishing, 1990), she describes how Fresh Start laundry detergent, Joy dishwashing liquid, and Dove soap help renew her mind as she progresses through each day. Her thoughts actually echo scripture:

Every day is a fresh start with God (Lamentations 3:22, 23).

The joy of the Lord is our strength (Nehemiah 8:10).

The Spirit (symbolized by a dove) cleanses and refreshes us, as we keep in step with him (Galatians 5:25).

Just those three statements alone are enough to spark an attitude change.

I wondered, what might my a.m. toiletry products offer for inspiration?

As I got ready that morning, I took a closer look at those products. Here’s what I found and the ponderings that followed:

Butterflies dance across the Kleenex box, signifying the beautiful, new life we have in Jesus. Thank you, Lord, for your beautiful gifts of peace, joy, hope, and strength–all because of your presence in my life.

“7 in 1 / Complete,” claims my moisturizer. Seven is symbolic of perfection in scripture. In fact, the apostle John mentions the seven spirits of God in the Revelation (5:6). And our God is perfectly complete—in power, wisdom, holiness, and more. When I consider that his complete perfection is lavished upon me, my heart is filled with praise!

The Dial hand soap dispenser promises its contents offer deep cleansing. That’s enough to prompt another prayer. Father, cleanse my mind of negativity and impropriety today. Thank you for your generosity of forgiveness and fresh starts.

The brand name of the contact solution I use is Replenish, reminding me that every day I need my spirit replenished. Stress, anxiety, and fear can deplete my strength. But praise God, his Spirit of power, love, and self-discipline (2 Timothy 1:7) can equip me to seize the day!

The shower gel includes scents of lemon, grapefruit, freesia and “clean woods.” Each fragrance is delightful and refreshing on its own. And, of course, each one was created by God. Interesting: God not only made beautiful things for us to see, he included scents for us to enjoy. And though there must be thousands, he gave us the capacity to mix them and thereby create millions more. Thank you, Lord, for giving us the ability to create. Not that we can make something out of nothing as you can. But within the parameters you have set, we can design, combine, and build. Thank you for the precious gift of crafting that brings us much joy.

Before I knew it, the contacts were in, the face was on, the hair was (fluffed) up.

Better yet, my attitude was in check, positivity was turned on, and my heart was looking up.

* * * * * * * * * *

What products do you use whose names or claims have the potential to renew your mind? Share with us your discoveries in the Comment section!

(Photo credit: www.downeyfamilydenistryblog.com.)

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The Lord’s Leisure

Posted in Encouragement, God, Patience, Uncategorized, Waiting on God, tagged God's Ways, Patience, Psalm 27:14, Waiting on God on July 21, 2014| 8 Comments »

Let me take a wild guess here. You are waiting for something. Either a prayer to be answered, a need to be met, or an event to take place. Of course you are. Waiting is a part of life.

But why? God could intervene sooner than later if he wanted to. Why the delay?

Because particular blessings result from wait-time. You’ll find several of them itemized in a previous post: “The Blessings of Wait Time” (October 10, 2013). You can click on it below.

But recently I came across an addendum that grabbed my attention; perhaps you’ll find it noteworthy too.

First, you’re probably familiar with the instruction of Psalm 27:14 and other scriptures that tell us to wait on the Lord.

Centuries ago, in the old Prayer Book Version (which predated even the King James Version) that sentence was translated: “O tarry thou in the Lord’s leisure.”

Gives the verse a new layer of meaning, doesn’t it.

I’m thinking of an anxious child, waiting not-so-patiently for the moment aunts, uncles, and especially young cousins will arrive on a summer Saturday. How he looks forward to the table heaped with picnic fare, the games of tag and hide-and-seek, and perhaps Marco Polo in the pool.

“When will they get here?” he pines — again.

“All in good time,” Dad responds while preparing the grill.

Do you remember being that child? Your very insides were jumping around with pent-up excitement. Maybe your outsides were jumpy, too. Sitting still was an impossibility. You wanted the fun to begin NOW. Did you wonder, How can Dad be so calm?

We weren’t quite wise enough to recognize Dad’s vantage point of experience. He knew that highly anticipated events do eventually happen, and anxiety does not speed up the process. Dad could relax, enjoying the peace and quiet perhaps, before the whirlwind of relatives descended.

Is it possible that such a scenario describes (in part) the way our all-knowing, all-powerful Heavenly Father looks at our circumstances?

He knows exactly when each prayer will be answered, when each need will be met, when each anticipated event will occur.

So calmly and leisurely he waits until the time is just right.

Perhaps God is waiting until we’re ready to receive what he has planned. Might a little more spiritual maturity be in order?

Perhaps others are involved and he’s engineering circumstances to meet several purposes all at once. Joseph was released from prison at just the precise moment Egypt would need his God-inspired wisdom and leadership.

Perhaps our Father provides wait time to take our faith to the next level. He knows how contented we will be upon learning to rest and trust in quiet calm –with no jumpy impatience. How wonderful to affirm with calm conviction: “All in good time.”

Just like Dad said.

* * * * * * * * * *

Oh, Father, I don’t want to be like an immature, restless child who cannot be patient. Instead, may I “tarry in your leisure” –resting in your sovereignty and trusting in your timing — implicitly. I want to hope, anticipate, and endure as evidence of ever-growing faith. Bottom line: I want to please you. And, without faith, I know that is impossible (Hebrews 11:6).

(Photo credits: www.joyshope.com; http://www.betterparenting.com.)

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A Change of Heart

Posted in Appreciation, Blessings, God's Presence, God's Provision, Intimacy with God, Joy, Renewing the Mind, Uncategorized, tagged Appreciation, Blessings, Contentment, God's Presence, God's Provision, Practicing God's Presence, Renewing the Mind on July 17, 2014| 18 Comments »

Behind our new home stand many large trees that border a small creek. As the sun goes down, fireflies rise from the grass and slowly soar higher and higher until the trees appear decorated for Christmas. Hundreds of glimmering lights sparkle against the deep dark of night.

God’s creative handiwork, right in our own backyard.

* * * * *

On the Fourth of July our family attended the local Independence Day parade. While waiting for the festivities to begin, a young boy seated next to us chatted with me every now and then.

One time he commented, “Wow! There’s not even one cloud in the sk___ …Wait a minute. There’s a little one over there.”

We both studied the wisp of vapor for a moment. “It’s disappearing already,” he added.

Together we witnessed the last visible curl evaporate away. My attention returned to people-watching.

But the boy suddenly cried out, “There it is again!”

Sure enough, the water droplets had regathered themselves.

It was then I noticed a phenomenon that I’d missed before. In the area of that little cloud was a faint veil of fog, barely visible. Millions, perhaps billions of water droplets were suspended there all along.

The boy and I only noticed them when they drew together in a dense gathering.

Watching the cloud reform, the boy exclaimed, “Cool!” Cool indeed.

God’s ingenious engineering of the elements, right above the street.

* * * * *

After dinner recently Steve said, “I’ll do the dishes.”

Now lots of husbands probably do the dishes now and then. But do they also do the cooking? My Steve does! He actually enjoys it, and almost always takes care of the cleanup, too. (Sorry, he’s not for sale.)

God’s love expressed to me through my loving husband, right there in our kitchen.

* * * * *

Our toddler granddaughter loves the swings at the park. “Weeee!” she squeals with each push. For her it’s a new, exciting delight.

Actually, Elena’s days are filled with new discoveries: the ping-sound of a metal post when struck with a stick, the mystery of bubbles that disappear with a touch, the slow, spiral dance of a dropped feather.

Her eyes sparkle; her smiles and laughter indicate intense pleasure.

God’s gift of joy on display right in our own family.

* * * * *

And paying attention to all of these manifestations makes me more aware of his presence.

And awareness of his presence changes my heart.

Stress gives way to peace, tedium gives way to joy, striving gives way to contentment, fear gives way to consolation.

And surely God must smile when we live aware and celebrate his gracious provision.

* * * * *

I praise you, Father, for reminding me of your active, loving presence throughout each day, everywhere I go — even at a parade. Thank you for ministering to my needs, assuaging my fears, comforting my hurts, and giving me joy. What a gracious God you are!

(Photo credits: www.billemory.com; http://www.spacious-passion.org; http://www.generationnext.com; www. projectnursery.com.)

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