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But a Moment

4/18/2013

When a person receives unforeseen news that is of a devastating nature, the world takes on quite a different look than it had only a moment prior. The darker colors outdoors appear to be abnormally dismal, the still-leafless branches on the trees seem to be in the foreground of any view regardless of where one looks, and the jaggedness of last year’s thistles stand out in stark relief against the background of the pale, new growth of spring. The world looks ‘off’ and seems to match the numbness from the intense pain residing in the heart.

Psalm 31:9-10 “Be merciful to me, O Lord, for I am in distress; my eyes grow weak with sorrow, my soul and my body with grief. My life is consumed by anguish and my years by groaning; my strength fails because of my affliction, and my bones grow weak.”

Such was the case today for me. Numb from the news of the telephone call, I wandered outside to retreat into the privacy of the garden where my tears could flow freely and I could speak plainly to the Lord of the deep pain in my heart. I sought for some tangible sign of hope to ease the ache that had suddenly taken up residence in my soul. And, as is just like our Father, I found it in quite an unexpected way.

Psalm 23:4 “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”

It was not that many days ago that I had been in the yard and saw a lone dandelion standing proud and tall against the edging where it was safe from the blade of the lawnmower. Its bright yellow flower petals had been gleaming in the sunshine and it seemed to live unmindful of its reputation as a weed that people spent so much time and effort trying to eradicate from their perfectly manicured lawns.

During my trip to the garden today, I espied it again, only to find the remnants of that happy-colored flower of yesterday in the form of a perfectly rounded seed head.   Its blooming season had ended and the seeds were poised so as to be caught up by the wind and borne to a new home where they could patiently wait for the next season to show their bright yellow heads to the world once more.

It was in this dandelion that I saw a reminder of the assurance of hope that has been promised to us as God’s children.

Job 14:5 “A person’s days are determined; you have decreed the number of his months and have set limits he cannot exceed.”

Just like the dandelion, we each have our season on this earth. God alone knows the length of time given to every one of us. For that brief span of time, we grow, bloom and shine brightly in the life He has gifted to us. And when the time allotted to us has been fulfilled, He calls us home to Him.

Psalm 116:15 “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.”

During our lifetime, we release seeds (figuratively speaking) into other people’s lives that will remain long after we are gone. While an individual may no longer be physically present with us, these seeds will gently remain in us as sweet reminders of the one who released them.

Psalm 112:7 “He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord.”

I thought that after the news of today that I would be full of ‘why’ questions. Why her? Why when she was so young? Yet I could not question the God who knew the length of her life before she was ever born. We were blessed to have her for nineteen years. Instead, with tears streaming from my eyes, I looked heavenward then proclaimed loudly through the sobs caused from the deep ache in my heart, “Even so, I trust in You and in Your timing. And I trust in the promise You gave of everlasting life for all those who believe. I will see her again one day.”

John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”

Until the time comes for us to begin everlasting life with Him, we have His promises of complete care for all that we need in this life.

Psalm 23 “The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”

Truly we are here for but a moment. What will you do with it? What will you do with Him? The choice is yours. He’s waiting for you.

(For more information about forming a relationship with the Lord, see How You Can Find Him located at the top of this page.)

                                        Dedicated to Maria Kathleen Elias
                                               February 22, 1994 – April 18, 2013
                            Look for us by the gate. We’ll be there before we know it.

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Sweetly Content

4/12/2013

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Contentment is not a word that we hear much about today. While it is a true joy to be around someone who lives out the practice of being content, it seems that the
prevailing, underlying emotional current in our culture is predominantly one of discontent. One has only to look
at those in their environment or listen to a nearby conversation to know that people, in general, are not happy with the current state of their life. Oh, they may put on a façade of cheeriness, but if you really listen, you will eventually be able to hear words that speak of the restlessness that’s in their heart.

As a society – and specifically as Americans – we operate under the adage that ‘more is better’ or ‘bigger is better.’   We want more money, a faster/bigger vehicle, a larger home, and invariably, that all-too-elusive perfect romantic love. Too often we spend the majority of our lives working to attain more of just about everything in the hope that once we achieve what we feel is our ideal, we will finally be truly content, completely satisfied and thoroughly pleased with life
at long last. Sadly, once we do achieve what we thought would make us happy, we find that there’s a completely different set of problems that we inherited along with it that leaves us longing more than ever for something other than what we worked so hard to attain; something that will give us true, lasting contentment.

One of the most challenging times, it seems, is when we see the evidence of fulfilled dreams in the lives of others.  We want what he/she has and, while we can be happy for them on the surface, there is also that unspoken, deep-seated question as to why our own dreams continue to remain unfulfilled.   Before much time has passed, a greater discontentment settles within us
and, if we aren’t careful, resentment begins to grow towards the person who has had their dream fulfilled.

Ecclesiastes 3:11a “He [God] has made everything beautiful in its time.”

This verse can be true for any of us who allow God control of our life. The problem we get into is asking how long it's going to take and then moving forward on our own when we feel that the process is taking too long. Only God can answer how long something will take as everything has its own time. To wait on Him and the time assigned to accomplish the task ensures success.

In the person spoken of above who had their dream made a reality, while we could see the evidence of their dream come true, what we could not see was the agonizing, tear-filled span
of time – be it days, weeks, months or years - that the person spent living in the darkest hours of their soul when they cried out in prayer to God over the unfairness of their situation, or the longing they had for the vision in their heart to be made sight, or of the struggles they had to endure while God molded them into the person they needed to be in order to receive the full measure of blessing that God had for them.   Because we didn’t see the painful bleakness and saw instead only the proof of what appeared to be a sudden downpour of blessing in their life, we feel the discontentment of our own situation even more and begin to wonder what’s wrong with us.

The talents we have been given and the hunger for the dreams in our hearts that we have longed to be made realized has been placed there for a specific reason. How many of us are willing to endure a season of emotional isolation from others in a parched, sun-scorched
desert in in order to see our dreams fulfilled?   What would you be willing to do to have everything made beautiful in time as stated by God?

Philippians 4:11-13 ”I [Paul] am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty.  I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.  I can do all this through him [Christ] who gives me strength.”

First, we need to learn the secret that Paul spoke about of being content in any and every situation.   What’s the secret? To resolve [be firmly determined] in your heart to be content regardless of what you see around you.  How can we possibly do this? Because God will always give His children everything they need.  Period.

2 Corinthians 9:8 “God is able to make every grace overflow to you, so that in every way, always having everything you need, you may excel in every good work.”  [Emphasis mine.]

What does the word contentment mean anyway?   It’s an inner sufficiency; a satisfaction found through the depth of one’s own life with God independent of our surroundings.  Simply put, it’s daring to take God at His word and then relying on Him to do what He has said He will do.

Why would we want to cultivate contentment?   Your environment is not evidence as to a limitation to God’s abilities to move you where He needs you to be. You are the only thing that can limit what God can and cannot do in your life. When you live in the contented assurance
of who God is, regardless of the conditions you reside in each day, you can rely fully on Him to lead you into the more beautiful life that He has in store for you.

Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Are you concerned that your dreams are too big for Him to fulfill?   There is no need to worry as His imagination and abilities are larger than we could ever fathom.

Ephesians 3:20 “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.” [Emphasis mine.]

Second, once you realize that you already have everything you need when you belong to Christ, true contentment will permeate you.   You will know that those dreams you have carried in your heart for so long are not only possible, but will, in God’s time, begin to be made a reality as He sends showers of blessings your way.

Isaiah 43:19 (AMP) “Behold, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs forth; do you not perceive and know it and will you not give heed to it?   I will even make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.”

Let Him do a new thing in your life.  The choice is yours. He’s waiting for you.

(For more information about forming a relationship with the Lord, see How You Can Find Him located at the top of this page.)

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"Is Anyone Here?"

4/2/2013

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No, that’s not a typographical error.  Usually the question is asked, “Is anyone there?” Yet with all of the popular web sites encouraging people to share the minute details of their daily lives, it’s apparent that there are indeed other people out there. We find, however, that when a situation calls for someone to come alongside and travel with us in order to lend direct help during a challenging portion of this path we call ‘life,’ that, while the ‘friends’ list in our
favorite social media site may be overflowing with name after name of ‘out there’ people, it’s not necessarily an indicator of the availability of a ‘right here’ person.

I believe that God, who longs to offer us a devoted, dependable relationship, is more a fan of porches which lend, when utilized, a much slower and more intimate opportunity for the development of honest community.  In times past, it was common for people to sit on a swing or in a comfortable chair on the porch at the end of a long, hard and very busy day of work. After the supper dishes were washed and put away, people seemed to naturally gravitate towards the porch where they settled down to quietly talk of the days’ activities as well as of their goals and hopes for tomorrow’s accomplishments. The cooler breezes of the evening hours would chase away the heat from the day as they would watch the sun slowly sink lower on the horizon as it headed toward bed for the night.   Spending time on the porch was a marvelous way to de-stress and unwind before turning in at the close of the day.

The front porch is the portal into the house proper that led to the inner recesses of the family dwelling. Should the weather suddenly turn inclement or the hungry evening bugs begin to nibble the porch-sitters, they would either retreat into the house (with any lingering visitor also invited to join the family if the good conversation was not yet concluded and/or if the visitor was deemed trustworthy enough to enter the sanctity of the family home), or else put an end to the visit thus sending the loitering passerby on their way either by speaking gentle phrases for them to "have a good night," or else by subtle body language that the speaker hoped the drop-in caller would take as a cue that it was time for them to leave.

At other times during the day, the porch was a good place to get caught up on the latest news with a passing neighbor and, if they were inclined to dawdle, were invited up onto the porch to “sit and talk for a spell” and would be waved into a waiting chair. If a chair was not available, the tread of a step would be utilized as a seat and a welcome resting place while stories were exchanged.

The front porch was used oftentimes to have a quiet talk with a young ‘un who was having difficulty making a tough decision or who had a challenging question that was in need of an answer.  (The back porch was used for corporal punishment, when necessary.) It was also used as a comfortable spot to tend to portable work, such as mending, corn shucking, or whittling, or to listen to stories about what is was like ‘way back when’ that were full of wisdom tidbits that could be applied in some way to the present.

When guests came to dinner and it was time for them to leave, the host/hostess would walk onto the porch with them, then linger while conversations were finished and farewells exchanged. It was considered good manners and the sign of either fondness for, or proof of an enjoyable visit with, the departing guests for the host to remain on the porch first waving and then watching until they were out of sight. To not remain on the porch, or to shut the door quickly, was to let them know that their company was not enjoyed and that the hosts were eager (and therefore much relieved) to end the visit as rapidly as possible.

The front porch swing was frequently a place where courting couples would sit for hours talking while they got to know one another under the watchful ear of a chaperon who lingered just inside the house and sat by an open window so as to unobtrusively listen to the exchange of the couple.

The use of porches over time has diminished as the much cooler, air-conditioned indoors holds greater attraction over the not-quite-as-cool, open air environment of the porch. So, too, has the design of porches changed over time to reflect the waning usage of them as they have gotten smaller, many times being no larger than a step that is used to gain entrance into the house.
In spite of these changes, the desire for people to have genuine relationships and a true sense of community has not diminished one iota even though we are now more isolated physically than were our predecessors. While computer technology can be utilized to help foster relationships, it should never replace the personal interaction that’s needed in order to cultivate kinship.

History shows us that porches are not a creation of the developed world. In Biblical times, at least as far back as Solomon’s Temple, there was a porch that had to be crossed in order to enter the tabernacle courtyard.   This courtyard was the place where burnt sacrifices were performed on the altar as an offering for various sins that had been committed by the
individual or community as a whole.

There is an encyclopedia definition of the word porch that I like:   “Roofed structure, usually open at front and sides, projecting from the face of a building and used to protect an entrance.”

“Used to protect an entrance” to me conjures up a mental image of the Gatekeeper, Jesus Christ, who stands on the porch in front of the entrance to the throne room of grace (the Holy of Holies), the Father’s presence.

John 14:6 “Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

Jesus Christ offered Himself up as the perfect and complete sacrifice for our sins, and desires that all men come into this saving knowledge.

1 Timothy 2:3-4 [AMP] “For such [praying] is good and right, and [it is] pleasing and acceptable to God our Savior, Who wishes all men to be saved and [increasingly] to perceive and recognize and discern and know precisely and correctly the [divine] Truth. For there [is only] one God, and [only] one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, Who gave Himself as a ransom for all [people, a fact that was] attested to at the right and proper time.” [Emphasis mine.]

He continues to this day to act as Mediator between us and God, always interceding on our behalf.

Hebrews 7:25 “Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.”

True relationship; the comfort of His constant, consistent presence in this life; the giver of wisdom for any situation we encounter; and a haven of refreshment whenever we choose to come to Him.  All of this, and more, He offers us.

“Is anyone here?”

Yes, He’s right here.  Come on up to the porch and sit a spell. He’s waiting for you.

(For more information about forming a relationship with the Lord, see How You Can Find Him located at the top of this page.)

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But a Moment

Sweetly Content

"Is Anyone Here?"

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