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But a Moment

4/18/2013

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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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Still the Same Address

1/30/2013

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Now that the long holiday season (and all of the busyness that goes along with it) is a memory, I gathered up the envelopes from the Christmas and New Year’s cards that we had received, as well as the scraps of paper containing hastily scribbled notes of the soon-to-be address changes, and prepared to update our address book.
 
Before I made any changes, however, I took an unplanned walk down memory lane as I  leafed through each page and scanned the entries.  The names listed there told many different stories from the past.  

Some were names of people who were only briefly and slightly known from so long ago that I could not bring a matching face forward in my mind.  (I can’t help but wonder, do they remember me just as well?)

Others were names of precious friends and family members who make a point to keep in consistent contact as they share both everyday happenings and the big events in their life and the lives of their family members.   Visits with these dear ones – whether via paper (i.e. cards and letters), by telephone, over electronic devices or in person – are eagerly anticipated. The merest thought of them immediately brings a smile to my face as well as a strong desire to drop an unexpected card or note in the mail to them to simply say, “I was thinking about you today.” 
 
On the other hand, an ache spreads in my heart at the sight of the names listed of those who see themselves as the center of their universe and have chosen to remain aloof, and refuse to take part in any form of a healthy relationship. Usually, contact is only made when something is needed or when a crisis is occurring in their life.  How we long to have these names join the ranks of their smile-producing address book neighbors spoken of above!  
 
As household moves take place, multiple entries are reflected for some of the names; while other address entries have been scratched through repeatedly as each move (or two or three) has taken place and been replaced by the latest contact information.  These moves have occurred so frequently that the newest information has had to be carefully squeezed into the margin as near to the surname as possible.  These listings alone can take several minutes to reminisce over as each new house, city or state holds precious memories of special times that were created while the entrant lived there.  
 
As new branches are added to the family tree and the children grow up to eventually move away from their familial home to live their own life in their own surroundings, a new listing is created for each of them.  Their name, address and telephone number has been lovingly written on a separate line.  The newness of this entry looks odd for a while as the new home is established apart from the parent’s address entry.   

Then there are those names of individuals who are no longer here.  A contented happiness tinged with a little sadness comes to the surface over the all-too-brief opportunity to have known them while we shared in their walk along this life’s path right on to the very end of their journey. 

Similarly, a penetrating sadness is fast to be felt – even after many years - over the ones who are now gone without any type of reconciliation having taken place prior to the end of their life, completely ensuring that no hope remains for one to ever take place.

So many moves have taken place over the years as well as many life changes.  Without extending the effort, is it any  wonder that people have lost touch over time and feel disconnected from people?

God, however, has all of us written in His address book.   Regardless of where we live or where we may move to throughout this life, God never loses sight of us.

Psalm  139:2
“You know when I sit and when I  rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar.”

We may change - our address, our minds, or ourselves - but God never changes.

Hebrews 13:8
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”

He calls to each one of us:

Revelation 3:20
“Here I am! I stand at the door and knock.   If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.”

Open the door and invite Him into your home.  No matter where you are situated either in life or geographically, He’d love to have a heart-to-heart visit with you.  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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STUCK NOTES

9/20/2012

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Have you ever had a song stuck in your head?   No matter what else you try to think about, your mind always comes back to the tune and/or the words and you find yourself humming, whistling, or  quietly singing it to yourself.  
 
Such was the case for me this morning.   A song from my youth based upon Psalm 25 came to the forefront of my mind  and refused to return to the portion of my brain that houses distant  memories.   I had to not only sing it in its entirety several times before it was no longer ‘right there,’ but also had to look up the psalm and read it to see how accurate my memory of the words were.  
 
One of the verses in the song that was prominent in my head was  from Psalm 25:7 “Remember not the sins of my youth and my rebellious ways; according to your love remember me, for you are good, O Lord.”

As Christians, it is often times more difficult to be around people who ‘knew us when;’ to the time prior to when we chose to live a
life pleasing to the Lord.  These are the same people who talk of us today as if we were still that person of  yesterday.  These are the people who cannot accept our changed state into the incredible new creation we become after we accept Christ, nor do they choose to see the areas of growth that have occurred (and continue to occur) as we are daily molded into what Christ would
have us to be tomorrow.

One of the problems with people reminding you of what you used to be is that their words bring to mind the ‘old tunes’ of the past that were made by the consistent, prolonged negativity spoken to us, with - what I call - words of 'not enoughness.’    Perhaps you were told you were not good enough, or attractive enough, or athletic enough, or fast enough, or organized enough, or well-behaved enough, or smart enough.  And as a result, you felt as if you were not enough.  Period.

Yet the simple truth is that we have great worth and are loved an unfathomable amount by God, so much so that He willingly sent His son to die in our place for our sins.  

     Romans 5:8 “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

We need do only one thing in order to be counted as enough in God's eyes:  accept His Son.

    Psalm 25: 3 “No one whose hope is in you will ever be put to shame.”

When the ‘old tunes’ of negativity arise in your mind, replace it with a new song of praise to the Lord. 

     Psalm 13:6 “I will sing to the Lord, for he has been good to me.”

Repeatedly sing your song of praise to Him and soon it will be these notes that will get stuck in your head.  He’s waiting to hear from 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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    Welcome to my site!  My name is Robin. I'm a Christian writer with a heart-desire to share how I have found (and continue to find) God in the everyday.  Thank you for joining me on this adventure!

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