Category Archives: Faith

WHEN FAITH GETS SHAKY: Keep Praying, Keep Climbing.

22 Monday Jul 2019

Posted by in Faith, Prayer Life

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I have struggled today with matters of faith, prayer and promises. I didn’t know how to word my questions, so no matter how much I wanted to write, all I could say was “I can’t even…” and when I tried to pray I cried and felt like an ungrateful child, or at best, a distant relative. Throughout the day, I’ve studied God’s word with intermittent prayer and at last have, with God’s guidance, found my footing in that jagged mountainside of faith. “…nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day.” (II Timothy 1:12)

If you have never questioned God’s promises – well, not so much God, but our understanding of the promises – if you’ve never felt your faith quiver somewhat, then I applaud you in your stoic faith. Though I have met some disappointments without questioning God even one little bit, that is not always the case.  There have come times of heartache brought about by no one’s wrong doing; hope that’s dashed and severe suffering by good people. We see it everyday. We pray, we see answers and blessings, we praise God, knowing His goodness and mercy have followed us. Or, we pray, we wait hopefully, believing God’s will is best and plan to give all glory to Him, whatever the answers are. Or, we pray, we watch bad turn to worse, we hope and pray more, and continue to see what to our human sight, is unanswered prayer. Wrong. None of these is the true purpose of prayer. It’s not about the answers. I know this. I just get so caught up in taking it all to the Lord, that I veer off course on a path of thinking He owes me answers. How wrong this is!

I read somewhere that the true purpose of prayer is to draw closer to God, not to seek answers. I believe scripture supports that; even though the Lord said “seek and you shall find, ask and it shall be given, knock and it shall be opened to you”. So I ask myself, am I seeking, asking and knocking for the wrong things? His answers are already given us in His Word – both the written word as well as His Word that became flesh and dwelt among us. He knows suffering. He knows disappointment. He knows prayer beyond human limits, to the point of sweating like great drops of blood. (Luke 22:44)

What has my heart burdened today is not for myself, but for friends who so far have not seen the answers that they and our community have sought for months. Still we pray, knowing that with God all things are possible (Matthew 19:26).  Every time I look at the newspaper, or listen to the news, there are reports of more suffering children; neglect, abuse, tragedy, and I want to throw something and scream. Still I pray. I pray with the knowledge that whatever circumstances any of us endure, we are already given everything we need. The rest, beyond Christ as our Savior, is icing on the cake. My heart aches that some of those sweetest blessings are subjected to pain and suffering, that beautiful young life is interrupted for tedious tests and treatments; that dreams dissolve into emesis basins and medications. Cancer is so cruel. But, focus, I tell myself; eyes on the Lord, not on the problem. Look higher, seek a life of walking with the only one who knows completely what we are going through. He has weathered every storm long before us; He gave up every comfort, even to death, so that when life such as it is, forces evil upon us, He can carry us through. Jesus knows. Jesus cares. Jesus has provided the peace that passes all understanding. Jesus is Lord – on the mountain and in the valley – and has prepared the end of our story to be victorious. Whether the story lasts a few months, 18 years, 90 years or more, ours is but a breath and then there is eternal life. Victorious, perfect, eternal praise to the One Who gave us everything good; and ultimately destroys all that threatens good.

These questions have been mauled by the philosophies of people on all sides of the issues, and this simple country girl has no original idea, nor even a good idea to help us get through life’s storms. Here is what I do know: no force of earth nor space could ever have given me the blessings I’ve enjoyed, except the fiercely loving, all knowing God I serve. He did not cause bad things to happen, and if He always only allowed us to have everything we ask, where would be the hope of Heaven? If all was good, uninterrupted smooth sailing, who would need the lighthouse? It’s all about preparing our lives to depend on Him, to look forward to being with Him, and to give Him all praise for what He has done for us. Life is grand, and grander still, God holds my hand and always will.

I mentioned earlier a ‘jagged mountainside of faith’. I look forward to the completion of my faith, when I reach the top of that mountain. As long as I am here though, on the mountainside, there will be falling rock, stumbling stones, and holes to overcome because this is life – human style. I believe we can only reach the top by holding hands, (we have two) one with God and the other helping another. When our faith is complete in Christ, our journey done, we will look back at all He has brought us through; to new life –  heaven style. I still have questions; even in the autumn of life my faith is still growing; but I have hope that when we do rest atop that mountain, the view will be worth it all.

If you’ve stayed with me to this point, thank you for hearing my heart. I truly want to hear from yours too, in how you reconcile verses such as “faith will save the sick” in James 5, with the knowledge that some are not healed. How do you wrestle with life questions without bruising your faith or that of others? Remind me of Job, “In all this Job did not sin nor charge God with wrong.” (Job 1:22)  Have a good week. Trisha

From the Storm to the Table

23 Sunday Jun 2019

Posted by in Encouragement, Faith

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With the blackness touching my face and the silence filling my ears, there was no sleep for me. I lay there wondering how I became so accustomed to today’s sensory input that I couldn’t even find peace in the wake of a storm. I thought how dark and quiet the nights must have been for my grandparents. When their lamp was snuffed out, and the stars and moon were swallowed by the heavy bellied clouds, the dark was solid. There were no security lights; no traffic casting a glow through their dark windows as we have now. But there was more than the dark and quiet keeping me awake. It was that question in the back of my mind – what would I find in the morning’s light? What changes would the storm have brought that I couldn’t yet see?

Unable to await daylight, I entered the darkness by lantern and found some of the porch furniture cast into a bed of perennial plants that I was rather fond of, including beautiful 3 feet tall ivory colored Calla lilies, now lying flat on the ground under a large potted schefflera. I wrestled the potted plant back up onto the porch, and placed the lighter metal furniture pieces back onto their home as well. Taking my wet self back inside, I waited for the electricity to bring our ‘normal’ unnatural night lights, motor humming, and sleep.20190622_110305.jpg

With daylight I was better able to survey the damage, and for us the casualties were minimal. As quickly as the thought “what a mess!” entered my head, it was chased by the knowledge that this is nothing, and my heart was heavy for all the homes that suffered real damage this spring alone, by flood and tornado. I felt ashamed for grieving my lovely Callas. But then, I thought of those verses in God’s Word about even one little lamb being sought when the remaining flock was safe (Luke 15:4-5); and the one pearl of great price (Matthew 13:46); and sweeping the house clean to find one coin (Luke 15:8-9). Yes, my beautiful Callas were important to me, with all the work I’ve invested into that flower bed, and the pleasure I’ve had looking out the window at their beauty. Oh, I’m not really grieving, or “all tore up”, as we say around here. But as always, nature speaks to me of God and His ways. So, I lifted their sad little faces and supported them with a trellis, and salvaged a small bouquet to enjoy the creamy perfection in their blooms.20190622_112347

I’m comforted in the knowledge that my Father in heaven gets down in the deep with me to shoulder my burdens; lifts my face, picks me up when I’ve fallen; supports me and continues to work with what I have to give. If you’ve weathered a storm of your own lately, or perhaps in the midst of despair even now, you are surely fearful of what you will find in the path your storm takes. I would encourage us all to look up to our amazing God, Who by His grace and through Jesus Christ, saves us; and our sweet Holy Spirit Who takes our cry from the depths of our lows to the Father. He hears, and He works more mightily than we can imagine. Bring what you have to the table and let it shine. You are as important to Him as the whole flock, more worthy than ten times your weight in silver coins; a pearl of great price. He will salvage, He will save, He will keep you in His wisdom and time.20190622_113048

“He calms the storm, So that its waves are still.  Then they are glad because they are quiet; So He guides them to their desired haven.  Oh, that men would give thanks to the Lord for His goodness, And for His wonderful works to the children of men!” Psalm 107:29-31 (NKJV)

“Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me.” Psalm 51:10

I’LL TAKE A SIDE OF FAITH WITH MONDAY’S MEATLOAF

21 Monday Jan 2019

Posted by in Faith, MONDAY MUSINGS

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Sweeping over an icy crust of snow, the 20 degree wind made quite a statement. Dear friends had just made their 0700 exit out of the driveway for their eight-hour trek home. The house pulled its quilt of quiet over my ears, and I felt secure, knowing my God hears my heart and would take Kim and her family safely home; and that I could retreat into a warm house and begin plans for the day. Priority #1, another cup of coffee with my fur baby and the newspaper. How suddenly that security can flip.

On my way through the hall, I tripped on a small bag that my friends had forgotten. Calling to see if I could catch up to them, I received no answer. A couple more calls and texts, coupled with finding out their family back in West Virginia knew nothing of their visit to Kentucky,  left me feeling a bit less secure. Another hour later I had imagined them knocked in the head and their car taken along with daughter, phone and Lifesavers! Whoa, how fast I can go from “God’s going to take care of them” to “they’ve met with disaster’!  A look at the newspaper was NO help – headlines of shootings, accidents and the like. Oh ye of little faith…

When Peter asked Jesus to command that he walk on the water to his Lord, his faith and the Lord allowed him to do so – walk on a boisterous sea! Even then, while accomplishing that amazing feat, Peter saw the contrary winds tossing the waves, and he began to doubt. He feared. And began to sink. Thank Goodness, Peter cried out to be saved, and grasped the extended hand of the Lord. Jesus said, “Oh you of little faith, why did you doubt?” (Matthew 14: 28-31)

I knew Who it was to whom I prayed; I believed He heard and would deliver. But as soon as I caught a glimpse of a possible situation, I left ‘Amen’ and let ‘what if’ rev up my heart. So I wasted a little time I could have spent in that peaceful morning calm, but was again reminded of His faithfulness and goodness. A sweet text let me know it was a matter of her phone being on vibration, and the other two passengers sleeping. Stopping for gas, she saw my (several) calls and messages, and apologized for my worry. No, Kim dear, it is I who apologize to our Lord for taking my eyes off Him and looking into the world of possibilities. And, yes, we had meatloaf this evening, it is Monday!

Then those who were in the boat came and worshipped Him, saying, “Truly You are the Son of God.” Matthew 14:33 NKJV

 

KATHY’S ANGEL

16 Sunday Dec 2018

Posted by in Faith, Life, The unexpected

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We made it to Macy’s!
So many lights, so many people!

There are times when you wonder about “angels unawares” (Hebrews 13:2, KJV), right? Well, I do. During our recent trip to NYC, I just may have encountered an angel. Of course, that is not an indisputable truth, but it is what I believe. Hebrews 11:1 says “Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen”.  On that December night in Macy’s Department store, I was sure hoping my sister would not get hurt, and I did not see this help coming! Understand, I intend no disrespect of the scriptures; I know the hope and evidence of Hebrews consists of our faith in the eternal God and His works.  So who am I to put a limit on what He can do! Let me set the background for you.

Kathy, Cindy, Tonya and I decided to take the evening on our own, leaving the Millennium Broadway via Uber to see Macy’s on Herald Square in beautiful Manhattan, New York City! The window displays were calling our names. I had a one-item list for what to do in NYC: buy a Macy’s ornament. Already having put in a full day of tour activities, we were depending on our excitement and Tonya’s Uber app to keep us going. Our giddiness was slightly entertaining, possibly annoying, to the driver, which fueled our fortitude all the more. Have you ever gone into a building only to find later you have no idea where you entered? That’s how our entire evening went! As we discovered the grand front entrance from somewhere else, I was lost in the dazzling lights and decorations; entire trees with snow-dusted squirrels poised overhead, a bit larger than life, competed with all the other glitz and glitter for my attention. Suddenly I was alone in a crowd so thick I couldn’t reach for my phone without bumping someone. Cell phones are great – we could be lost and found several times throughout the evening, with no panic nor problem. After finding ourselves hilariously incapable of utilizing the elevators, we searched out an escalator for a couple more floors. With our prized ornaments in Tonya’s capable hands, on we ran! Delirious with fatigue and fun, we were ready for the Starbucks floor – wherever that was!

That is when we came upon an escalator we hadn’t seen before; made of wooden slats feeding out of a set of brass fingers, eight to ten inches long. Tonya and Cindy led the way and stood one floor below calling, “come on, let’s go, before they close! You can do it, just step on it like any other” and other such cheerleading shouts, because Kathy had just shut down with panic. Pure fear. She was. NOT. GOING. In her defense, there was the memory of our mother’s escalator fall and emergency treatment in 2007; and the one we saw before us now was confusing – do I step on the brass fingers, or step across them onto the moving wooden slats? With big sister optimism, I said “I’ll go first and tell you which way works.” Prying her fingers from the rail, I stepped in front of her. At that time, NO one else was in sight, so I stepped onto the brass part with my right foot and as the escalator took my left foot on without me, I turned to her to say, “Don’t step on the brass fingers!”. There I saw a young man standing beside her and she was yelling, “No, I can’t do this! I’m sorry….excuse me!” Now, think about it, we’re in NYC, near 11PM, and already had been given some very strange looks in the aforementioned elevators….(another story); so wouldn’t you have expected him to be thinking, “sure crazy lady, just get out of my way so I can go”, or even worse! In her words, “It was truly an awful feeling…as I stood on a perch that might as well have been the top of Lady Liberty. I expected to turn around and see very annoyed people, but all I saw or heard was his soft spoken encouraging words and when that didn’t work, the soft touch of his hand giving me that trusting nudge I needed.”  What I witnessed was my sister gliding down the escalator behind me with this young man’s arm around her back, side by side. At this point I should mention that she had never had a panic attack before, so that explains why we naturally expected her to follow.

Having descended one level, we saw we still had another level to go downward to reach our destination (Starbucks, remember?) At the sight of another scary slatted escalator, Kathy cried, “NO, not another, I can’t!” to which the young man calmly said, “It’s okay, we’ll do this together.” Relieved to see them land smoothly ahead of me, I pointed to him and said, “Young man, if you don’t already work with challenged children, you should!” He smiled humbly and said “this is my stop too”, and left us. All I could think of was, Kathy had an angel to guard or guide or protect, I don’t know – you decide. The scriptures teach us that angels are simply God’s messengers. What was our message? Be not afraid? Good people are everywhere? Get out of Macy’s before they close? (just kidding with that last one) I think. Or was he an innocent bystander through whom the Lord protected me from having to call my brother-in-law to say your wife is in the hospital. On and on the surmising could go; I know however, what I saw, and heard. And I believe. Thank you God for that sweet young man who so gently and kindly took control, calmed Kathy, and got us to the Starbucks counter in time to collect our energy enough to go outside and wait for the next Uber ride. (With duck tape on Cindy’s mouth. Just kidding – Oh the tales to tell!!!)

Look around friends, notice when people need a helping hand, a calm word, or encouragement to go on. Be God’s messenger of peace. Remember that the Prince of Peace is always there and reaches out, at any season. Merry Christmas. Trisha

 

 

 

What To Pack: Feet Shod With Preparation (Not a Turkey Carcass)

26 Monday Nov 2018

Posted by in Faith, MONDAY MUSINGS, Thanksgiving

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adult beverage breakfast celebration

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Well Friends, the second dishwasher load from Thanksgiving left-over meals has finished; the skillets are re-seasoned; the silverware is put away and our granddoggy’s bedding is washed and stashed for a future visit. Everyone has gone home. Our tummies are full, as are our hearts after four days of family time. I took time out for a catnap today, so this post may be short and sweet – like the time we get for visiting during holidays. So much preparation, busy-ness of serving our guests and then keeping our tradition of black Friday shopping and taking in a late holiday movie all spent the hours at the speed of light. Thanksgiving 2018 is history; let my attitude of thanksgiving not be so, Lord. Here we are at the beginning of a new week, and we’re either rested with the extra days off, or exhausted from all the activity of the same.  Writing this on Sunday night, I am tired, but peacefully so, and happy that our home was blessed with the presence of so many of my extended family this week. Thankful, so very very thankful!

Now, on to the task of planning what to pack. The trip I’ve mentioned lately is very near and it’s time to prepare! Top priority is COMFORTABLE shoes. Mama always said, “if your feet hurt, everything else does too.” After being on my feet for an entire week, I whole-heartedly agree! I am open to suggestions as to the most comfortable, go-with-anything, warm footwear to take with me. Anyone?

“Stand therefore…and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace,” (Ephesians 6:14-15).  Proper footwear was important enough that the Holy Spirit guided Paul to include it in the “whole armor of God”.  Our feet are our foundation. We’d better treat them right! Spiritually speaking, feet not prepared with the gospel of peace, or the gospel of Christ, would not be ready for battle. Physically speaking, feet not prepared with well fit shoes will not be ready to do battle with the sidewalks of New York! I mean, really, with all there is to see and do, the last thing I need is a pair of aching cold feet! Paul’s recommendation included ‘preparation’ which I believe indicates study and application of the gospel. Just as I know I need to prepare with the right shoes to make my trip successful, I likewise know my Christian journey requires daily study and application of the gospel.

I got awfully carried away with food and the presentation of it for the Thanksgiving meal. I was busy – too busy – because I didn’t make time to read God’s word for about three days. I don’t say that proudly. Better planning and preparation would have prevented me from pushing God out of a time that is supposed to be about Him and the blessings He has given. Instead, I gave Him the left-overs; a short prayer as I fell asleep each night was it. That’s like serving our guests the three-day old turkey carcass I found sitting on the clothes dryer today in a forgotten granite roaster. For three days. Friends, that is not enough for our loving God. Not reading His word is to shut my ears up to God. Heavenly day! If I want God’s guidance and peace as I journey life, I MUST stay prepared with the word, “in season and out of season” (II Timothy 4:2). Feet shod with slip-proof, weather-proof, combat-ready wear are vital for the battlefield. Comfortable shoes encourage stability. I want to become so comfortable in my knowledge of the gospel (good news) of peace that my recall is stable, too.  That will take more preparation than I’ve given it so far!

I need that just right pair of shoes or boots, and I will be ready to bag it all up! A good coat, a versatile sweater, and great footwear are important components for a winter trip. It will probably be two weeks before I relay the success of my packing since I will be traveling next Monday, without my laptop. Have a well fit, warm comfortable week, friends, without too many leftovers!

Eternally His, Trisha

In EVERTHING be Thankful?? How?

21 Sunday Oct 2018

Posted by in Faith, Nature, Prayer Life

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eye of the storm image from outer space

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When God said be thankful IN everything, He didn’t say FOR everything…it’s OK to not be grateful for the storms. But even in the eye of our hurricane, we can be thankful for the calm after, the protection through, and the hope around it.

I seriously doubt if the recent hurricane victims were out in the wind and rain, thanking God for the rough times. Oh, I’m sure most were praying, but I for one would not be expressing gratitude in those moments. I would be praying, Lord save me! Like the evenings I’ve been hunkered down in the bathroom closet with Auggie Doggie, ready to pull the clothes in on top of us. Tornado warnings tend to make me do such things. Hasn’t your stomach leapt up into your throat a time or two for fear of SOMETHING! Not a worrier, I don’t pace the floors every time a thunder-cloud darkens the sky.  But to “prepare for the worst and hope for the best” is a good motto, so I take the warnings seriously.  How am I thankful in that?

First, I thank God for warnings! That, and the protection I seek are in the back of my mind as I’m asking Him to save us. Next, I am grateful that I even have hope – hope that God is able; able to save physically and spiritually regardless of the path of my storms. Third, thank you Lord for the calm after the storm, a time to catch my breath, rebuild and repair!

Have you ever been caught in a blinding storm while driving… on the interstate…with semis driving like they don’t see a storm, and the driver in front of you only visible when you are within two feet of his bumper? At those times I feel a rush of adrenalin like I’d forgotten was possible. And I don’t know which is stronger, my prayer, or my grip on the steering wheel. The very act of praying – for anything – is letting God know you’re thankful He is there! Life situations can have the same effect as that interstate storm. In those times, it’s important that we remember who we are, and whose we are. (Yes, I said that to my kids too, every morning from the time they started to school) As Christians, we have a Father who sees us, loves us, and wants the best for us.

Thankful for the storms? No, I am not. Thankful for the warnings in scripture to guide me away from satan’s desire to harm me? Yes. Thankful for the protection through the storms? Yes, as a hen gathers her chickens, He still wants to keep His spiritual Jerusalem under His wing. (Psalm 17:8; Matthew 23:37) The calm after the storm? Yes, for the lessons learned, the peace that passes all understanding, and the rebuilding. (II Corinthians 5:17; Philippians 4:7)

Those pines and palms that bend near the ground without breaking must have had a lot of wind whipping! They gained a strength from the storms they weathered through the years. I’ll save that thought for another day. For now I am just so thankful for the  warnings, shelter, and calm – not only for the sake of those in the path of recent hurricanes – but for those same spiritual blessings found in  the Word of God.

Eternally His, Trisha

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;” Philippians 4:6

Grace for Guilt: An Exchange of Enough

10 Wednesday Oct 2018

Posted by in Faith, inspiration, Poetry

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I am guilty. Nothing I am or ever will do, can remove that guilt nor be enough for God’s acceptance. The one thing that makes me as good as new, guiltless, is the grace of God, and that is enough. I have only just begun to realize the depth of that grace. My everything isn’t enough; His enough is everything.

“But God…made us alive…and raised us up…that He might show the exceeding riches of His grace…in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” Ephesians 2:4-10 (NKJV)

The BEST deal of all ages, hands down, is in that section of Ephesians 2.. To stress what God did, I left out the prepositional phrases where Paul explains when, where, how and why. It makes more impact on my brain if I cut through the chase first to get the noun and verbs – the main thing being said. God – made, raised, and saved. YOU, ME, us; when? Even when we were dead in our sins, (verse 5) Hallelujah!

I must thank Karen Bolls for a really good lesson last Wednesday night and the inspiration for this blog article. She titled it ‘NEW’ with the main points being “recently created, fresh, clean, untouched”, being unworthy and made new by God through the blood of Christ. My trigger was tripped as thoughts of grace in the place of my guilt flooded my mind.

Just as verse 5 answered the question when, the other questions are answered as well. Where? In Christ. How? By God’s grace. Why? Because of His great love. That beautiful grace that answers how, is my focus here. As the scripture points out, it is not by faith (“that not of yourselves”) and it is not by works (lest we think we have any claim to power) that we are saved.

From the tempter’s first encounter with woman, he has continually striven to ruin mankind’s relationship with our Holy Father. We, being human, continually participate  in those efforts and would never be clean enough to come before God, if not for the cleansing blood of Christ. We’re like the child with brand new sneakers on, always destined for  the nearest patch of dirt, who would never wear clean shoes if not for Maytag, Tide, and a forgiving mom! But, we have to get the shoes off the child first!

I love a good deal! Fifty percent off? Yes ma’am! Trade me that cool sweater for a jacket I never use? Sure! There’s always an exchange for what we want. While nothing can be given to Him that makes us deserving of God’s grace, within that grace is provided the means of exchange:  His forgiveness for our repentance. We lay down our guilt through faith that He can do it, and He makes us clean in our obedience of immersion into the blood of Jesus.  His grace is that He allows our faith to do simple works, and He calls it a done deal. He didn’t have to do it; but his great love for us caused Him to have mercy, and extend the grace. By that grace, He provided a means of forgiveness and acceptance – and all I have to give Him is my heart so He can dump out the dirt! My guilt, my sin, all to Him to wash away forever! Away from me, as the Psalmist said, “as far as the east is from the west” (Psalm 103:12).

My guilt, for His Grace? Yes, thank you! In that store of compassion and mercy, I have found a delightful deal; I cast off my old dirty coat for a brand spanking new one!

In the region of Unbelievable, I found my soul retrievable. The sign upon the mystic door, read “come in, and grieve of guilt no more”. The proprietor offered his service free, for he could see the lack in me. Into a room of lost and found, he said that I may look around. There lay my soul with dirt and rust, a price tag said ‘obey and trust’. You mean there is no greater cost? You’ve saved it for me, while I was lost?  “Yes, the greatest price I paid one day, for I had hopes you’d come my way.”

Trisha

 

 

 

 

Thank God, Even When the ‘Maters are Mashed

20 Thursday Sep 2018

Posted by in Faith, Life, Reflections

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“Oh give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.” Psalm 107:1

Oh yes! He has given us all we need. Above all, peace (John 14:27); even on a tearful morning when the carnal mind is trying to “mash my ‘maters” with thoughts of earthly things that the world says are important, to cloud over the amazing brilliance of all that God has given. People don’t mean to sit on your tomatoes. They’re just grabbing a seat, living life the same way you want to. Sure, there are things we want in life – in fact, God tells us to pour out our longings to Him – but the level of happiness they bring, rides on an elevator of circumstances. However, the peace, joy and mercy from God aren’t dependent on those things. Physical blessings come and go, but the spiritual blessings are for keeps, unless, of course, we walk into darkness and lose them. Even then they can be restored. “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from your presence, and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and uphold me by your generous Spirit.” Psalm 51:10-12

Life is fragile; it comes and goes. But the joy that it brings, and leaves with us, stays. There is a joy in knowing the Giver of that life continues to care, more than we know how to. He sees when we are struggling with gaps in our faith, with holes in our blankets, with pain and quicksands in life.

Sept. 20, 2018. So much life has happened this week. My niece is holding her newborn son today. A dear friend buried her 57-year-old husband yesterday, a sudden loss for the world of lives he touched. Bill however, entered an eternity of peace and joy on Sunday. My baby girl turned 39 today; I don’t feel old, just left behind, sort of. How much of what I meant to do and didn’t is important? We started our farm harvest this week – a reminder of how short seasons really are – and you better start them out right! Lastly, I’ll be attending the wedding of a good friend’s daughter on Saturday. All this in a week! Birth, birthday celebration, wedding, death, and gratitude for a good harvest.

As I sit here by the pond, pondering all this, my husband is running the combine some 50 acres or so north as is a neighbor to my south. Life, work, pleasures and sorrows all go on and on. Sometimes you get the pink one, sometimes the blue.Some days you win, some days you lose. Thank God for each new day woven in peace, for the spiritual joy in the heart He relieves.

Take a journal and start writing; make a list of your blessings. If you compare a list of “what I have” with a list of “what I have not”, you will find the “haves” far exceed the longings. For at the top of the “have” list is God’s son, and you can’t top that!

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Pondering

 

 

PEA PICKIN’ TIMES: There’s a Harvest Among the Tares.

12 Wednesday Sep 2018

Posted by in Faith, inspiration, Nature, The unexpected

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Among the Goliath weeds and dried corn stalks, roam my pea vines; more rich in vines and scarce in pea pods, I appreciate every last pea I find! Jesus taught in parables that He values every single soul that is still out in the world, not yet gathered into His Father’s house.  In late summer, early fall, there’s a rustle of harvest in the wind that thrills my senses. It’s pea picking’ time.

I always fail to eke out a pea patch from my husband’s crop land, so the pea seed must land in my fertilized garden where they grow rank, as do the weeds that thrive among pathways too grown over for our tiller. At a glance it looks pointless to even wander into the mess, but once within that daunting jungle, I find the hidden rubies that I call cornfield peas. Some years there are purple hull peas, but this year I only planted the heirloom seed from my Daddy, that I plant and save each year.  These also have purple hulls, grow longer than the traditional purple hull, and have a similar taste. From the ground to the top of corn stalks above my head, the pea vines run  over around and through anything in their paths. Along the maze can be found pods of delicious delight for the taking. And there I find each year that even the undesirable have a purpose. The strong stalks of pigweed, much to the horror of you dainty clean gardeners, provide arches as do the cornstalks I plant next to my peas for that very purpose. In my clean pea patches of the past, was the backache of bending to pick peas. Here in the land of traveling towering vines, I just reach out and take in. It’s like making lemonade when you’re given a lemon.

As I picked I was reminded of my first look at Guyana, S.A. where I had the privilege of working with our mission team on several occasions. Unfortunately, the first impression was made while taking in the canals of rotting animals and sewage, along with the odor of a factory’s byproducts. Our taxi ride made me seriously question the reason for being there. However, just one meeting with the delightful thankful Guyanese made it clear. There are jewels to be garnered among the rankest of weeds. I fell in love with the children, as well as the humble adults who welcomed us into their homeland. Never be so shortsighted as to judge the garden by the weeds. Oh, not as pleasant for sure in getting to the goods, but more gratifying at many levels. God didn’t say reaping grain among tares, peas among weeds, nor souls out of the world would be easy. He just said do it.

The first job ever given to mankind (unless you count ‘be fruitful and multiply’) was to dress the garden (Genesis 2:15).  While the difficulty of the job increased after ‘the fall’, the responsibility remained. “Thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you; and you shall eat the plants of the field (Genesis 3:18). Prepare the soil, plant, fertilize and water, and weed out the undesirable plants until harvest. This will not be done without getting our hands dirty, and rubbing elbows with some real stinkers! Pigweeds, crabgrass, and squash bugs are probably my most detested garden inhabitants. There are indeed problems in the world, some we cannot live with and some we just have to work around. Whatever pigweeds are in your life, just use them to bring God glory with a good harvest.

“Do you not say ‘There are yet four months, then comes the harvest’? Look, I tell you, lift up your eyes, and see that the fields are white for harvest.” John 4:35 ESV

Age, You Do Not Scare Me!

09 Thursday Aug 2018

Posted by in Celebrating, Faith, Life, Reflections, Uncategorized

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First week of August: It’s hard to be mad at the grass growing in the flower beds when theres a hummingbird sipping on the blue salvia and a bluebird on tbe clothesline pole. Finches are flitting through the blackeyed susans, and a bobwhite calls from the fields. Too much good to dwell on the ungood.
I turn 65 this month, seems like I should be saying that about my parents, not me. But the year of birth verifies it. Its really me. Sitting here on the patio as the sun finds a place to rest, I am overwhelmed with God’s grace. I’ve done nothing to deserve this peace.
Jesus said He gives us peace. Not as the world gives, does He give. And it IS a whole different peace. Though several circumstances could be rewritten if my world were ideal, its that peace that passes all understanding that comes with being in Christ, in spite of the less than idealic. The hummingbird can’t receive life sustenance by being nearby the salvia and feeders, admiring them, talking about them; but must contact that necter, get into it. Well, neither can we receive the peace and grace of Christ”s without contacting Him thru His life giving blood. On the outside looking in just isn’t where He wants us to be. I hear Him beckoning, “Come nearer to me, lean in, feel the peace and protection I promised when you became my child”. Age does not scare me.