Second grader, Ben, trotted up to my teacher desk and enthusiastically shared his latest news:
“I bought my mom some honeysuckle room spray for her birthday, but it makes the cat sneeze.”
I know what you’re thinking: Ben’s words aren’t particularly noteworthy. You need to know how he spoke them—with a lisp. Try repeating his words, substituting th for s, and see if you don’t start to chuckle:
“I bought my mom thome honeythuckle room thpray for her birthday, but it makth the cat thneethe.”
Maybe you had to be there. But let me tell you, I deserve a medal for my self-control that morning, holding back the giggles until Ben was out of earshot. Every now and then—like the other day–I’m reminded of that incident, and I still smile.
Now don’t ask me how my brain made the following connections. The neurons were firing way too fast to trace their trajectories. (Of course, after you read the following explanation, you’ll probably say my neurons were misfiring.)
Anyway, my thoughts jumped from Ben’s report of making the cat thneethe to face-lifts*, which, in his endearing lisp would have been faith-liftths.
Ah-ha! Now I was onto something important. Faith-lifts! And I began to ponder: What are some of the most meaningful faith-lifts I’ve encountered?
God is so generous with his encouragement. We find it in scripture, other books, the lyrics of songs, a spoken word , creation, and even the recesses of our hearts as God speaks in a gentle whisper (1 Kings 19:12).
For example:
A Faith-Lift from Scripture
“He will be the sure foundation for your times,
a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge;
the fear of the Lord is the key to this treasure.”
–Isaiah 33:6
I praise you, God, for your rock-solid reliability. And as I reverence you through thought, word, and deed, you provide for my every need. Hallelujah!
A Faith-Lift from Reading
“Jesus offers inward quiet in spite of outward trials. Rough winds may ruffle the surface of a lake, but far down in the depths there is perfect calm” – Herbert Lockyer (Seasons of the Lord, p. 89).
Thank you, oh God, for your peace that defies explanation and dwells deep within my spirit.
A Faith-Lift from Listening
“Don’t worry that you don’t have strength before you start. God gives strength as we journey” (heard on the radio).
Help me, Father, to step out in faith because my confidence is in you.
A Faith-Lift from Song
“I see the work of Your hands.
Galaxies spin in a heavenly dance…
“I delight myself in You,
Captivated by Your beauty…
“I run into Your arms,
Unashamed because of mercy…”
–Big Daddy Weave, “Overwhelmed” (2012)
Thank you for such glorious contemplations, Lord God!
Faith-Lifts from People
I praise you, Father, for the myriad ways you minister to me through others. Sometimes what they share brings tears to my eyes as I sense your instruction and inspiration coming through their words.
Faith-Lift from Creation
Soaring mountain peaks speak of your power,
Restorative rain, of your refreshing,
The steadfastness of sunrise–your hope,
A gentle breeze–your presence,
Gleaming sunbeams–your glory, and
The teeming stars–your infinity.
“Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise” (Psalm 96:4a)!
A Faith-Lift from Spirit-Impression
All was still as I sat on the deck one morning. Even the birds were quiet. But no sooner did I journal my observations, than a breeze began to stir. I sensed an impression simmering to the surface of my thinking—thoughts that seemed to come from God himself:
“When nothing seems to be happening, when prayed-for circumstances remain unchanged, remind yourself that Spirit-breezes of blessing will come when the time is right. Wait with patience and rejoice in the knowledge that I am at work. Revel in the expectancy and assurance of My arrival” (Isaiah 65:24).
* * * * * * * * * *
M-m-m. I’m thinking: such faith-lifts as listed above actually do produce face-lifts, because worry, fear, and tension are erased in the splendor of his adequacy in all things!
“I will lift you up, O Lord, for you have lifted me up.”
–Psalm 30:1 NLT
*Plastic surgery was not uncommon where we lived at the time. Perhaps the connection occurred as my thoughts jumped from student to school to community. That’s as good an explanation as any. I’m sticking to it.
(Art & photo credits: www.pets.thenext.com; http://www.faithgateway.com; http://www.pinterest.com; http://www.wisconsintrails.com; http://www.jpl.nasa.gove; http://www.pinterest.com.)
From the Inside Out 