"The heavens declare the glory of God;
the skies proclaim the work of His hands.
Day after day they pour forth speech;
night after night they display knowledge."
Psalm 19:1-2
For the past several years one of our end-of-summer traditions has been spending a few days at Seagrove Beach. I'm so thankful that the boys still wanted to go this year and were able to work out their schedules to make the trip possible. We chose a place at Seagrove where we had never stayed before, following much of what I've read about the need to blend the old with the new. This beach is just a favorite spot along 30A that offers great bike paths, not quite so crowded beach time, and a quaint, friendly atmosphere that's a bit slower paced than many beaches in the area. We've gathered many memories here. The beach means sunshine, a good book, a shrimp po-boy, and hanging out with my boys who can always make me laugh. I also love the beach because it speaks so clearly of our Creator.
Early mornings are probably my favorite time of all. I gather the essentials-- my Bible, devotionals, journal, pen, and cup of coffee--and head to the balcony. The concert of waves crashing is sweet background as I read and meditate on God's message for the day. I stare in wonder at the vastness of it all--this beautiful sanctuary that will soon transform into a giant playground for both young and old. As always, morning walks were daily rituals for me while the boys enjoyed sleeping in. The Lord is so gracious to remind me of His presence at times when Jim's absence is so deeply pronounced. With every sunbeam, every whitecap, every seagull--I was assured that He was right beside me whispering, "This is My creation for you to enjoy. I am here with you holding your hand. I will not leave you." His peace prevailed over my would-be loneliness.
One morning I awakened to an ominous dark cloud that seemed to blanket the entire sky. Clearly a storm was imminent, but what an eerily beautiful sight this was as a thin line of blue sky separated the enormous cloud from the vast expanse of the Gulf. A thunderstorm erupted not long after as lightning lit up the sky and thunder boomed in the distance. The rain pelted down for a couple of hours, followed by intermittent light drizzling. (We were thankful for the televised Olympics and Caleb's new movie game Pass the Popcorn!) By late afternoon the sun peered out again, and I headed to the beach for my daily stroll. What a wonderful surprise as I found a sand dollar and a handful of unique shells! (Until then the area had been virtually barren of any shells.) The Creator's reminder: I will give you unexpected treasures after the storm--just remain thankful for the many blessings you already have. I was almost giddy as I came in to share with the boys my beach bounty and lesson gleaned.
But our Creator had an even more beautiful surprise waiting yesterday morning. I ventured out about 7:30 and had walked about a mile eastward when a light rain began to fall. I turned around and within a few minutes it began to appear--a magnificent rainbow! Within a few moments it stretched across the entire horizon. I'm not sure if I had ever seen one complete from end to end as the bottom of both sides slipped into the water. In awe I stopped abruptly and began snapping pictures. Then I wept. Right there on the beach. Tears of gratitude flowed freely as I thanked our Creator for such a beautiful gift--another reminder that breathtaking beauty can indeed follow the rain. For me rainbows inspire remembrance of all of God's promises and His faithfulness to keep them. What timely reassurance!
Now the funny part:
I desperately wanted to share this wonderful gift with the boys so I literally sprinted to the condo (even forgetting to wash off my sandy feet!) I burst in shouting, "Hurry! You've got to see...out here... rainbow...Come quick!" They stumbled from their beds to the balcony, squinting and rubbing their eyes and mumbling, "What? Oh, yeah, that's nice." Unfortunately, I had forgotten that boys/men (especially those under 25) don't get nearly as excited about rainbows as their maybe a bit overzealous mom. Later in the day this episode prompted much laughter as they shared their versions of my wake up call. Apparently in their deep slumber they missed the word "rainbow." Their ideas: "I thought there was a beached whale out there!" "I thought the place was on fire!" "I thought the Lord Himself had returned!" I'm thinking this story will linger for a while in our family history--especially with the boys' animation of my grand entrance and announcement!
A gorgeous sunset closed the day, and a brilliant full moon illuminated the sea that night. Oh, the wonder of it all! Such majesty is beyond words. Then I pondered how there is no language barrier in creation. God's handiwork speaks to all, declaring His power and glory. What an awesome God we serve!
And so we have returned home--refreshed and ready for a new school year, new adventures, new goals--reminded again how great is the Father's love for us. He has intricately designed such grandeur--and yet He intimately cares for each of us. How grateful I am that He would allow us this time together to enjoy His marvelous creation and the blessings of laughter and family.
"When I consider Your heavens,
the work of Your fingers,
the moon and the stars,
which You have set in place,
what is man that You are mindful of him,
the son of man that You care for him?"
Psalm 8:3-4
Friday, August 3, 2012
Sunday, July 22, 2012
The Bread of Life
"They are not just idle words for you--they are your life."
Deuteronomy 32:47
Last month I had the privilege of chaperoning Chi Alpha choir tour/mission trip to New Orleans. For several years this trip has been one of the highlights of summer for our family. On four charter buses, about 150 excited high school students and 40-something brave adults loaded up for a week of missions and concerts. Among the different mission sites was First Baptist Church Belle Chase, where my group had the opportunity to help with Vacation Bible School.
I do so love VBS and the joy of teaching children about Christ's love. As Kristin, Madison, Olivia--the sweet XA youth in my group-- and I decorated the room that Sunday afternoon, we prayed for the children that would come on Monday. We were thrilled when they began scrambling in to our assigned pews in the sanctuary the next morning. Quickly we began to learn a bit about these eight 5th graders: although almost all had lived in this south Louisiana suburb for most of their lives, only two were actually members of this church. Most only attended a church occasionally. Their lives were loaded with stuff: iPhones (yes, 5th graders!), BMX bikes, four wheelers, video games, clothes, jewelry... One boy openly admitted, "I'm spoiled rotten. I get pretty much anything I ask for." But to our utter dismay, we discovered that four of these precious children did not have the most important possession of all--a Bible.
Perhaps I grieved so deeply over this because of where I am right now. The verse from Deuteronomy says it all--God's Word is indeed my daily sustenance. There are mornings when the darkness seems overwhelming; I open up my Bible and find light and hope. "For I am the LORD, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, 'Do not fear; I will help you.'" (Isaiah 41:13) On days that loneliness creeps in, His Word assures me, "You are mine... I will be with you" (Isaiah 43:1-2). When I feel weak and confused, His words offer strength and peace. "Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11:28) His Word reminds me that worship will overcome worry and praise will conquer self-pity. These verses speak the very voice of the Lord. Oh, not to have His Word would be devastating--indeed it is life!
That very night one of our staff members graciously made a Walmart run and purchased some Bibles for these children. What a delight for us to be able to give them the most important book they will ever have! But the best part of all was seeing their gratitude and eagerness to find out what it said. The more we read, the more questions they asked. "How can God be everywhere at once?" "What is the difference between God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit?" "How do you know that God is real?" "Are there still prophets today?" "Why does God let bad things happen?" What a thrill to hear them seeking answers! Oh, how I prayed that the Lord would give us the right words--through His Word--to respond. These children seemed so hungry, perhaps just beginning to realize that none of their "stuff" was truly satisfying. There must be more...
We were overjoyed one morning when one of the boys told us that he had prayed to accept Christ at his home the night before. Smiling broadly, Michael announced, "I've been reading my new Bible too. Should I start at the beginning? Last night I was reading in Genesis." Oh, to observe that kind of zeal for the Word--the freshness of its truth, the pursuit of its life-changing power--was a delight. As we said our goodbyes at the community block party on Saturday, our group committed to continue praying for these endearing boys and girls--primarily that God would continue to draw Himself unto them through the treasure of His Word.
Although there are several devotionals that I enjoy reading, none compare to God's Holy Word. It is within these pages that I hear His voice of comfort and sense the Spirit's movement in my heart. Such grace! I love the phrase from 2 Timothy 3:16 that says, "All Scripture is God-breathed..." Some mornings I can almost sense His breath upon me. Surely there is no greater comfort...
"Your statutes are my delight;
they are my counselors."
Psalm 119:24
* Just had a random thought: Since I'm a devoted "Words with Friends" fan, maybe a new name for our Sunday night ladies' Bible study: "His Word with Friends"!
Deuteronomy 32:47
Last month I had the privilege of chaperoning Chi Alpha choir tour/mission trip to New Orleans. For several years this trip has been one of the highlights of summer for our family. On four charter buses, about 150 excited high school students and 40-something brave adults loaded up for a week of missions and concerts. Among the different mission sites was First Baptist Church Belle Chase, where my group had the opportunity to help with Vacation Bible School.
I do so love VBS and the joy of teaching children about Christ's love. As Kristin, Madison, Olivia--the sweet XA youth in my group-- and I decorated the room that Sunday afternoon, we prayed for the children that would come on Monday. We were thrilled when they began scrambling in to our assigned pews in the sanctuary the next morning. Quickly we began to learn a bit about these eight 5th graders: although almost all had lived in this south Louisiana suburb for most of their lives, only two were actually members of this church. Most only attended a church occasionally. Their lives were loaded with stuff: iPhones (yes, 5th graders!), BMX bikes, four wheelers, video games, clothes, jewelry... One boy openly admitted, "I'm spoiled rotten. I get pretty much anything I ask for." But to our utter dismay, we discovered that four of these precious children did not have the most important possession of all--a Bible.
Perhaps I grieved so deeply over this because of where I am right now. The verse from Deuteronomy says it all--God's Word is indeed my daily sustenance. There are mornings when the darkness seems overwhelming; I open up my Bible and find light and hope. "For I am the LORD, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, 'Do not fear; I will help you.'" (Isaiah 41:13) On days that loneliness creeps in, His Word assures me, "You are mine... I will be with you" (Isaiah 43:1-2). When I feel weak and confused, His words offer strength and peace. "Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11:28) His Word reminds me that worship will overcome worry and praise will conquer self-pity. These verses speak the very voice of the Lord. Oh, not to have His Word would be devastating--indeed it is life!
That very night one of our staff members graciously made a Walmart run and purchased some Bibles for these children. What a delight for us to be able to give them the most important book they will ever have! But the best part of all was seeing their gratitude and eagerness to find out what it said. The more we read, the more questions they asked. "How can God be everywhere at once?" "What is the difference between God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit?" "How do you know that God is real?" "Are there still prophets today?" "Why does God let bad things happen?" What a thrill to hear them seeking answers! Oh, how I prayed that the Lord would give us the right words--through His Word--to respond. These children seemed so hungry, perhaps just beginning to realize that none of their "stuff" was truly satisfying. There must be more...
We were overjoyed one morning when one of the boys told us that he had prayed to accept Christ at his home the night before. Smiling broadly, Michael announced, "I've been reading my new Bible too. Should I start at the beginning? Last night I was reading in Genesis." Oh, to observe that kind of zeal for the Word--the freshness of its truth, the pursuit of its life-changing power--was a delight. As we said our goodbyes at the community block party on Saturday, our group committed to continue praying for these endearing boys and girls--primarily that God would continue to draw Himself unto them through the treasure of His Word.
Although there are several devotionals that I enjoy reading, none compare to God's Holy Word. It is within these pages that I hear His voice of comfort and sense the Spirit's movement in my heart. Such grace! I love the phrase from 2 Timothy 3:16 that says, "All Scripture is God-breathed..." Some mornings I can almost sense His breath upon me. Surely there is no greater comfort...
"Your statutes are my delight;
they are my counselors."
Psalm 119:24
* Just had a random thought: Since I'm a devoted "Words with Friends" fan, maybe a new name for our Sunday night ladies' Bible study: "His Word with Friends"!
Saturday, July 14, 2012
Lincoln and Laughter
"A cheerful heart is good medicine..."
Proverbs 17:22
One afternoon in late spring Caleb called from the Tuscaloosa animal rescue shelter to ask for my approval/permission to get a dog. He used his best lobbying efforts: "He's a boxer like Maggie and my roommates are here with me and we all think he'll make a great pet and we're all going to pitch in for dog food..." In a weak moment I said, "Oh, why not?" forgetting that when Son #2 moved home for the summer he would also bring his new companion. His name is Lincoln, and we're trying to convince him that he is not the President and this is not his White House.
You see Maggie, our seven year old boxer, has been queen of this home since she was 8 weeks old. Having full reign, she has never learned (or needed to) about sharing her space, her toys, her backyard, or her family. All belonged to her and she was good with that. Enter an enthusiastic (perhaps somewhat eccentric) 1 1/2 year old puppy (part boxer/part gazelle/part giraffe) who is taller than she and has springs in his legs. It wasn't pretty--snarling, growling, bouncing, wrestling... After the first few days, I was certain that somebody was not going to make it.
Tension was high. Clearly there was an "our dog" vs. "your dog" mind set as we attempted to restore peace. "He was biting her ear!" "She jumped on him first!" We have swatted with rolled newspaper and raised our voices more than once. (At times I thought I was revisiting the boys' childhood days!) Gradually though, we began to see signs of emerging congeniality. The growling subsided and the wrestling became more playful. Now, only a few weeks later, these dogs entertain us. They "box" relentlessly, and the rope toy has become a tug-of-war favorite as they vigorously tussle then collapse for a nap side by side.
Even still we have some training to do. Linc greets our guests by leaping/bouncing on them and licking them with his giraffe-like tongue. He's quite fond of food--beyond the Kibbles and Chunks we offer him. He has taken out two raw hamburger patties, a plate of homemade teacakes, an 8-pack of hamburger buns, two sticks of butter, a slice of pizza, and a fresh peach. Needless to say we no longer leave anything on the kitchen counter unattended! These antics have proved frustrating, but they have also provided laughter--much needed cheer.
Around the Fourth of July table as we were sharing Linc's latest escapades, Jim's dad shared his own dog stories from years past. We laughed--belly laughed at times (especially about the hounds that swiped the neighbors' steaks off their grill) and were so thankful. What a joyful sound! Some time ago I read, "The deeper that sorrow carves into your being, the more joy you can contain." That laughter felt so good... down to our toes good.
On Father's Day last month I was especially grateful for Sarah Young's devotion about laughter in Jesus Calling:
"Laughter lightens your load and lifts your heart into heavenly places. Your
laughter rises to heaven and blends with angelic melodies of praise. Just as
parents delight in the laughter of their children, so I delight in hearing My
children laugh. I rejoice when you trust Me enough to enjoy your life
lightheartedly."
What a beautiful picture! That melody of a child's laugh is contagious, and there has been a lot of laughter in our home through the years. Few people I have known loved to laugh and make people laugh as Jim did. His quick wit was his trademark as he loved to kindle smiles and lighten moods. Just last Father's Day we gave him a new bathing suit which he immediately slipped on over his dress pants for the annual photo with the boys. No need to say, "Smile!" for that pose!
I am so thankful that each of the boys has been blessed with some of that Gibson wit. To know that the Lord is delighted to hear us laugh encourages us to find humor in our days--even if the source is a sometimes out-of-control rescue dog. So even though Caleb's/our new boxer has created some, umm... problems, he has made us laugh--even almost howl at times. Surely this is good medicine.
"Our mouths were filled with laughter,
our tongues with songs of joy."
Psalm 126:2
Proverbs 17:22
One afternoon in late spring Caleb called from the Tuscaloosa animal rescue shelter to ask for my approval/permission to get a dog. He used his best lobbying efforts: "He's a boxer like Maggie and my roommates are here with me and we all think he'll make a great pet and we're all going to pitch in for dog food..." In a weak moment I said, "Oh, why not?" forgetting that when Son #2 moved home for the summer he would also bring his new companion. His name is Lincoln, and we're trying to convince him that he is not the President and this is not his White House.
You see Maggie, our seven year old boxer, has been queen of this home since she was 8 weeks old. Having full reign, she has never learned (or needed to) about sharing her space, her toys, her backyard, or her family. All belonged to her and she was good with that. Enter an enthusiastic (perhaps somewhat eccentric) 1 1/2 year old puppy (part boxer/part gazelle/part giraffe) who is taller than she and has springs in his legs. It wasn't pretty--snarling, growling, bouncing, wrestling... After the first few days, I was certain that somebody was not going to make it.
Tension was high. Clearly there was an "our dog" vs. "your dog" mind set as we attempted to restore peace. "He was biting her ear!" "She jumped on him first!" We have swatted with rolled newspaper and raised our voices more than once. (At times I thought I was revisiting the boys' childhood days!) Gradually though, we began to see signs of emerging congeniality. The growling subsided and the wrestling became more playful. Now, only a few weeks later, these dogs entertain us. They "box" relentlessly, and the rope toy has become a tug-of-war favorite as they vigorously tussle then collapse for a nap side by side.
Even still we have some training to do. Linc greets our guests by leaping/bouncing on them and licking them with his giraffe-like tongue. He's quite fond of food--beyond the Kibbles and Chunks we offer him. He has taken out two raw hamburger patties, a plate of homemade teacakes, an 8-pack of hamburger buns, two sticks of butter, a slice of pizza, and a fresh peach. Needless to say we no longer leave anything on the kitchen counter unattended! These antics have proved frustrating, but they have also provided laughter--much needed cheer.
Around the Fourth of July table as we were sharing Linc's latest escapades, Jim's dad shared his own dog stories from years past. We laughed--belly laughed at times (especially about the hounds that swiped the neighbors' steaks off their grill) and were so thankful. What a joyful sound! Some time ago I read, "The deeper that sorrow carves into your being, the more joy you can contain." That laughter felt so good... down to our toes good.
On Father's Day last month I was especially grateful for Sarah Young's devotion about laughter in Jesus Calling:
"Laughter lightens your load and lifts your heart into heavenly places. Your
laughter rises to heaven and blends with angelic melodies of praise. Just as
parents delight in the laughter of their children, so I delight in hearing My
children laugh. I rejoice when you trust Me enough to enjoy your life
lightheartedly."
What a beautiful picture! That melody of a child's laugh is contagious, and there has been a lot of laughter in our home through the years. Few people I have known loved to laugh and make people laugh as Jim did. His quick wit was his trademark as he loved to kindle smiles and lighten moods. Just last Father's Day we gave him a new bathing suit which he immediately slipped on over his dress pants for the annual photo with the boys. No need to say, "Smile!" for that pose!
I am so thankful that each of the boys has been blessed with some of that Gibson wit. To know that the Lord is delighted to hear us laugh encourages us to find humor in our days--even if the source is a sometimes out-of-control rescue dog. So even though Caleb's/our new boxer has created some, umm... problems, he has made us laugh--even almost howl at times. Surely this is good medicine.
"Our mouths were filled with laughter,
our tongues with songs of joy."
Psalm 126:2
Sunday, July 1, 2012
Wellspring
"O God, You are my God,
earnestly I seek You;
my soul thirsts for You,
my body longs for You,
in a dry and weary land
where there is no water."
Psalm 63:1
In these blazing hot days with temperatures hovering around 100 degrees, we become more aware of the preciousness of water. Sprinkling our parched lawns and weary gardens, splashing in the neighborhood swimming pool, guzzling a bottled water after a short walk or workout--we are grateful for water that offers cooling refreshment to the earth, the flowers, and our bodies. Where do we go when we want to get away and be refreshed? Most often we seek the water--lakes, oceans, rivers, or maybe just a pond for fishing. Water invites us to relax, enjoy, and rest. Is it any wonder? Genesis 1:2 says, "Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters." Alas! This enchantment with water is perhaps our inherent desire to be near Him! Surely we are awed by His creation as we watch the timeless waves gently lap against the shore or as we see mirror images of surrounding giant oaks and pines in the glass surface of the lake. Yes, He is still hovering there, and in Him there is enjoyment and rest and peace.
But we can't always get to the beach or the lake or the river. Recently I saw a t-shirt featuring beach chairs and the phrase, "Gotta be near the water." What truth! Indeed God designed us to be "near the water," but not necessarily the Gulf of Mexico or Smith Lake. The water He had in mind is the Living Water--Himself--and that's available any time anywhere. I love the description in Jeremiah as God calls Himself "the fountain of living water." Fountains just keep flowing, the source for the stream of water. He is our source for life abundant as He wants us to have. Wasn't that one of our favorite songs as children? "Deep and wide, deep and wide--there's a fountain flowing deep and wide..." Jesus shares with the woman at the well: "Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life." (John 4:13) Isn't that comforting in this dry and weary land? There is water that will forever quench this longing. Only Jesus Himself, the Living Water, will satisfy.
The U.S. Forestry Service survival training guide suggests that three days without water is a "serious threat to survival." I think they're on to something. If we go three days without at least sipping the Living Water, we could be in deep trouble. If we choose to soak in it, devouring it, we will find peace--a gracious gift. "Taste and see that the Lord is good." (Psalm 34:8) That begins with "being still" time in His Word. Oh, the sweltering heat may persist, and we Southern ladies may be glistening on the outside, but that won't affect us on the inside, for that Fountain flows deep and wide. These lyrics from one of my favorite songs, "There is a Fountain," capture it all:
"Who on earth can satisfy my soul
Who on earth can comfort me and love me like You do,
Who on earth can be more faithful and true
I will trust in You; I will trust in You, my God.
There is a fountain
Who is a King
Victorious Warrior and Lord of everything
My Rock, My Shelter
My very own
Precious Redeemer who reigns upon the throne.
Who could ever be more faithful and true
Lord Jesus, Lord Jesus,
Lord Jesus; there's none like You."
Yes, we do still seek a Dasani or a water fountain on a hot day, and we're thankful for that refreshment. But one day we know that won't be necessary as we stand in the very presence of the Fountain who is King. Amen and amen!
"Never again will they hunger;
never again will they thirst.
The sun will not beat upon them,
nor any scorching heat.
For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their Shepherd;
He will lead them to springs of living water.
And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes."
Revelation 7:16-17
earnestly I seek You;
my soul thirsts for You,
my body longs for You,
in a dry and weary land
where there is no water."
Psalm 63:1
In these blazing hot days with temperatures hovering around 100 degrees, we become more aware of the preciousness of water. Sprinkling our parched lawns and weary gardens, splashing in the neighborhood swimming pool, guzzling a bottled water after a short walk or workout--we are grateful for water that offers cooling refreshment to the earth, the flowers, and our bodies. Where do we go when we want to get away and be refreshed? Most often we seek the water--lakes, oceans, rivers, or maybe just a pond for fishing. Water invites us to relax, enjoy, and rest. Is it any wonder? Genesis 1:2 says, "Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters." Alas! This enchantment with water is perhaps our inherent desire to be near Him! Surely we are awed by His creation as we watch the timeless waves gently lap against the shore or as we see mirror images of surrounding giant oaks and pines in the glass surface of the lake. Yes, He is still hovering there, and in Him there is enjoyment and rest and peace.
But we can't always get to the beach or the lake or the river. Recently I saw a t-shirt featuring beach chairs and the phrase, "Gotta be near the water." What truth! Indeed God designed us to be "near the water," but not necessarily the Gulf of Mexico or Smith Lake. The water He had in mind is the Living Water--Himself--and that's available any time anywhere. I love the description in Jeremiah as God calls Himself "the fountain of living water." Fountains just keep flowing, the source for the stream of water. He is our source for life abundant as He wants us to have. Wasn't that one of our favorite songs as children? "Deep and wide, deep and wide--there's a fountain flowing deep and wide..." Jesus shares with the woman at the well: "Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life." (John 4:13) Isn't that comforting in this dry and weary land? There is water that will forever quench this longing. Only Jesus Himself, the Living Water, will satisfy.
The U.S. Forestry Service survival training guide suggests that three days without water is a "serious threat to survival." I think they're on to something. If we go three days without at least sipping the Living Water, we could be in deep trouble. If we choose to soak in it, devouring it, we will find peace--a gracious gift. "Taste and see that the Lord is good." (Psalm 34:8) That begins with "being still" time in His Word. Oh, the sweltering heat may persist, and we Southern ladies may be glistening on the outside, but that won't affect us on the inside, for that Fountain flows deep and wide. These lyrics from one of my favorite songs, "There is a Fountain," capture it all:
"Who on earth can satisfy my soul
Who on earth can comfort me and love me like You do,
Who on earth can be more faithful and true
I will trust in You; I will trust in You, my God.
There is a fountain
Who is a King
Victorious Warrior and Lord of everything
My Rock, My Shelter
My very own
Precious Redeemer who reigns upon the throne.
Who could ever be more faithful and true
Lord Jesus, Lord Jesus,
Lord Jesus; there's none like You."
Yes, we do still seek a Dasani or a water fountain on a hot day, and we're thankful for that refreshment. But one day we know that won't be necessary as we stand in the very presence of the Fountain who is King. Amen and amen!
"Never again will they hunger;
never again will they thirst.
The sun will not beat upon them,
nor any scorching heat.
For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their Shepherd;
He will lead them to springs of living water.
And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes."
Revelation 7:16-17
Friday, June 22, 2012
Magnolia Blessings
"A friend loves at all times..."
Proverbs 17:17
"Steel Magnolias"--that's the term Jim gave them some years ago. We had met at church in the Young Married department and traveled down teething and tantrum roads together, trading hand-me-downs along the way. For several years we gathered together on the first day of school with sack lunches for ourselves and the not-yet-school-age younger siblings to pray for our children and their teachers. We helped each other move from one house to another and kept each other's children so we could enjoy a date night with our husbands. We were the core of Baptist Young Women and still called ourselves that long after we didn't qualify. Through the years we have rejoiced in one another's family triumphs and wept through one another's trials. In spite of 200 miles and 10 years separation, God has graciously helped us preserve these precious friendships, and I am so grateful.
I've always loved the movie Steel Magnolias as it portrays the strength and beauty of Southern women and their friendships. Jim watched it with me more than once as I giggled and sobbed my way through. Perhaps it wasn't until we had moved here that he designated this title for my Mississippi girlfriends, but clearly this was a compliment. He recognized this unique tapestry of honesty, trust, and compassion woven together with faith. He often said, "It does you good to be with them." (I think that meant I was kinder and gentler after they had visited or when I returned from a few days in Hattiesburg.)
Not until recently did I think about the role of comforter that these women play in the movie. (This is the part where I laugh and cry intermittently.) Yesterday my own Steel Magnolias came to be by my side on a difficult day in this grief journey--what would have been Jim's and my 25th anniversary. A couple of weeks ago they had asked what I was doing on the 20th, and when I replied that I had no plans, they said, "Well, you do now. We're coming. We'll do whatever you want to do--even if that's nothing." Two of the four had taken off work. They brought chicken salad, pimento cheese, croissants, and cookies for dinner and even brought muffin mix and fresh peaches for breakfast. Their visit lasted a little over 24 hours as they headed back on the 3 1/2 hour trip around 7:30 last night. Surely this is the love in friendship as the Lord designed it. We laughed and cried as we wandered through my wedding album--those big hairstyles and white hose, those handsome, witty men in my dad and Jim. I had even dug out a piece I had written in June 1988 about our wedding day. These sweet friends indulged me and let me read it aloud--mushy as it was! More smiles and tears...
After that we headed to Vulcan Park, a popular Birmingham attraction that I had shamefully never visited in our ten years here. We struggled up the last of the 159 stairs of the tower, breathing a bit harder than we wanted to admit--gasping maybe? The view was definitely worth it though--truly spectacular as we gazed across downtown and surrounding areas. Then came the divine encounter: two delightful gray-haired ladies appeared from around the corner. Sisters they were-- "Q" (82) visiting from Arizona and Sue (76), a resident of nearby Fultondale. (They were wise and had ridden the elevator!) When they asked if the five of us were sisters, we laughed, but then I shared why these friends had come for a brief visit. We then learned that both of these women had lost their husbands last year to cancer--one in April and one in July. They each shared how the Lord was seeing them through (Sue had even lost her home in the tornado two days after her husband's funeral). What a genuine testimony of faith--what encouragement they offered! Sue's parting words: "You're going to be okay. You're going to make it. God will see you through." Eyes damp, I hugged this tender lady, so thankful that the Lord had arranged this meeting. He is so good.
After lunch at a Greek deli and some window shopping/browsing in downtown Homewood, we returned home and reflected on our day. It had been a good one--hard, but good. There were more tears, more memories, then the inevitable goodbyes. As I watched Cindy, Patty, Shellie, and Tami drive away, I could only offer praise to our Heavenly Father through my tears. He has blessed me abundantly--with these beloved Steel Magnolias from Mississippi and a myriad of steadfast friends here in Alabama who have faithfully prayed and "been there" along this journey. Grace upon grace...
"Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good;
His love endures forever."
Psalm 118:1
Proverbs 17:17
"Steel Magnolias"--that's the term Jim gave them some years ago. We had met at church in the Young Married department and traveled down teething and tantrum roads together, trading hand-me-downs along the way. For several years we gathered together on the first day of school with sack lunches for ourselves and the not-yet-school-age younger siblings to pray for our children and their teachers. We helped each other move from one house to another and kept each other's children so we could enjoy a date night with our husbands. We were the core of Baptist Young Women and still called ourselves that long after we didn't qualify. Through the years we have rejoiced in one another's family triumphs and wept through one another's trials. In spite of 200 miles and 10 years separation, God has graciously helped us preserve these precious friendships, and I am so grateful.
I've always loved the movie Steel Magnolias as it portrays the strength and beauty of Southern women and their friendships. Jim watched it with me more than once as I giggled and sobbed my way through. Perhaps it wasn't until we had moved here that he designated this title for my Mississippi girlfriends, but clearly this was a compliment. He recognized this unique tapestry of honesty, trust, and compassion woven together with faith. He often said, "It does you good to be with them." (I think that meant I was kinder and gentler after they had visited or when I returned from a few days in Hattiesburg.)
Not until recently did I think about the role of comforter that these women play in the movie. (This is the part where I laugh and cry intermittently.) Yesterday my own Steel Magnolias came to be by my side on a difficult day in this grief journey--what would have been Jim's and my 25th anniversary. A couple of weeks ago they had asked what I was doing on the 20th, and when I replied that I had no plans, they said, "Well, you do now. We're coming. We'll do whatever you want to do--even if that's nothing." Two of the four had taken off work. They brought chicken salad, pimento cheese, croissants, and cookies for dinner and even brought muffin mix and fresh peaches for breakfast. Their visit lasted a little over 24 hours as they headed back on the 3 1/2 hour trip around 7:30 last night. Surely this is the love in friendship as the Lord designed it. We laughed and cried as we wandered through my wedding album--those big hairstyles and white hose, those handsome, witty men in my dad and Jim. I had even dug out a piece I had written in June 1988 about our wedding day. These sweet friends indulged me and let me read it aloud--mushy as it was! More smiles and tears...
After that we headed to Vulcan Park, a popular Birmingham attraction that I had shamefully never visited in our ten years here. We struggled up the last of the 159 stairs of the tower, breathing a bit harder than we wanted to admit--gasping maybe? The view was definitely worth it though--truly spectacular as we gazed across downtown and surrounding areas. Then came the divine encounter: two delightful gray-haired ladies appeared from around the corner. Sisters they were-- "Q" (82) visiting from Arizona and Sue (76), a resident of nearby Fultondale. (They were wise and had ridden the elevator!) When they asked if the five of us were sisters, we laughed, but then I shared why these friends had come for a brief visit. We then learned that both of these women had lost their husbands last year to cancer--one in April and one in July. They each shared how the Lord was seeing them through (Sue had even lost her home in the tornado two days after her husband's funeral). What a genuine testimony of faith--what encouragement they offered! Sue's parting words: "You're going to be okay. You're going to make it. God will see you through." Eyes damp, I hugged this tender lady, so thankful that the Lord had arranged this meeting. He is so good.
After lunch at a Greek deli and some window shopping/browsing in downtown Homewood, we returned home and reflected on our day. It had been a good one--hard, but good. There were more tears, more memories, then the inevitable goodbyes. As I watched Cindy, Patty, Shellie, and Tami drive away, I could only offer praise to our Heavenly Father through my tears. He has blessed me abundantly--with these beloved Steel Magnolias from Mississippi and a myriad of steadfast friends here in Alabama who have faithfully prayed and "been there" along this journey. Grace upon grace...
"Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good;
His love endures forever."
Psalm 118:1
Saturday, June 9, 2012
A "Cool" Lesson
"Then the LORD said to Moses, 'I will rain down bread from heaven for you. The people are to go out each day and gather enough for that day. In this way I will test them and see whether they will follow my instructions.'"
Exodus 16:4
I love Vacation Bible School. Year after year during worship, I sit near the back of the sanctuary with my sixth graders in awe. Hundreds of exuberant children, servant youth workers, and yes, tired adult teachers blanket the pews throughout the room. Singing praise songs, laughing at the drama video, cheering for the game participants, doing motions along with the sixth grade team of leaders--certainly different from VBS back in the day, but oh, what a glorious sight and sound! Most of all though, I love to hear the hearts of the children as we engage in small group Bible study first thing in the mornings.
My sweet friend Paula invited me to teach VBS with her the first full summer after we had moved to Hoover. We've been a team ever since. For several years we taught our youngest children (both now rising seniors), moving up with them each year. For the last several years though we have been planted in the sixth grade garden. What a delight! We have had an especially inspiring group of children this year--so knowledgeable yet eager to learn more. Their zeal is evident as they work to put memory verse puzzles together, act out scenes from Bible stories, and wave their hands vigorously wanting to answer questions. What a privilege to help water the seeds already planted that will one day produce a bountiful harvest of faith. I pray that they will remember Daniel's courage in the face of opposition and Paul's commitment to share Christ with others. I pray that one day they will see how God provides daily manna for them just as He did the Israelites. Last week He clearly reminded me of that promise.
Jim's parents were here for dinner Thursday night when I reached in the freezer to grab the ice bucket. Alas--there was a cluster of half melted ice cubes resting in a pool of water. A closer look revealed the unfortunate fact that our almost 20-year old refrigerator was history. We transported freezer items to the downstairs freezer (very thankful that we had one!) and placed other perishables in the ice chests. (I must say there are some advantages in cleaning out--I won't mention the date on a couple of items...) All of our appliances have come from Sears so I headed there Friday morning looking for another Whirlpool; twenty years seemed to be an impressive age for an appliance. The new refrigerator was delivered Saturday afternoon to some happy campers (all three boys were home.) Now here is the really cool part--the "God is still in the business of daily manna" part: I had been asked to do some editing a few weeks ago and received an email Monday of that week stating that I would receive a stipend for my services. What a nice surprise! But God (there's that beautiful phrase again) was not finished showing me how He would provide. On Saturday morning, just before the frig was delivered, I read an email from our school board office saying the state legislature had decided to appropriate funds for the original National Board stipend from 2010-11 school year--two years ago! (This stipend had been decreased due to budget cuts.) Add these two surprises together and the difference from the cost of the refrigerator was right at one hundred dollars! Yes, the Lord provided exactly what we needed precisely when we needed it. Now the refrigerator is somewhat of a centerpiece in our kitchen--surely it is visited often in this house. In days to come if my memory of the Lord's ample provision fades and I begin to grumble like those fickle Israelites, I need to look no further than my kitchen where He has left a giant reminder: "I am Jehovah Jireh, the One who provides." Amazing grace...
Back in the worship center I listen to these precious children sing the lyrics to Hillsong's "I'm Running to Your Arms":
"You are good, You are good
When there's nothing good in me
You are love, You are love
On display for all to see
You are light, You are light
When the darkness closes in
You are hope, You are hope
You have covered all my sin.
You are peace, You are peace
When my fear is crippling
You are true, You are true
Even in my wandering
You are joy, You are joy
You're the reason that I sing
You are life, You are life
In You death has lost its sting.
Oh, I'm running to Your arms
I'm running to Your arms
The riches of Your love
Will always be enough
Nothing compares to Your embrace
Light of the world forever reign.
You are more, You are more
Than my words will ever say
You are Lord, You are Lord
All creation will proclaim
You are here, you are here
In Your presence I'm made whole
You are God, You are God
Of all else I'm letting go."
I pray that these words take root as our VBS children continue to grow in their knowledge of our Savior. For now they may only be words to some, but one day, one day I pray they will come to really know Him as their hope and their peace and their joy--their light when the darkness closes in. In His presence He does make us whole. He is here and for this day He will give us manna from heaven--just enough for this day. May we all--young and old--rest in that beautiful promise.
Exodus 16:4
I love Vacation Bible School. Year after year during worship, I sit near the back of the sanctuary with my sixth graders in awe. Hundreds of exuberant children, servant youth workers, and yes, tired adult teachers blanket the pews throughout the room. Singing praise songs, laughing at the drama video, cheering for the game participants, doing motions along with the sixth grade team of leaders--certainly different from VBS back in the day, but oh, what a glorious sight and sound! Most of all though, I love to hear the hearts of the children as we engage in small group Bible study first thing in the mornings.
My sweet friend Paula invited me to teach VBS with her the first full summer after we had moved to Hoover. We've been a team ever since. For several years we taught our youngest children (both now rising seniors), moving up with them each year. For the last several years though we have been planted in the sixth grade garden. What a delight! We have had an especially inspiring group of children this year--so knowledgeable yet eager to learn more. Their zeal is evident as they work to put memory verse puzzles together, act out scenes from Bible stories, and wave their hands vigorously wanting to answer questions. What a privilege to help water the seeds already planted that will one day produce a bountiful harvest of faith. I pray that they will remember Daniel's courage in the face of opposition and Paul's commitment to share Christ with others. I pray that one day they will see how God provides daily manna for them just as He did the Israelites. Last week He clearly reminded me of that promise.
Jim's parents were here for dinner Thursday night when I reached in the freezer to grab the ice bucket. Alas--there was a cluster of half melted ice cubes resting in a pool of water. A closer look revealed the unfortunate fact that our almost 20-year old refrigerator was history. We transported freezer items to the downstairs freezer (very thankful that we had one!) and placed other perishables in the ice chests. (I must say there are some advantages in cleaning out--I won't mention the date on a couple of items...) All of our appliances have come from Sears so I headed there Friday morning looking for another Whirlpool; twenty years seemed to be an impressive age for an appliance. The new refrigerator was delivered Saturday afternoon to some happy campers (all three boys were home.) Now here is the really cool part--the "God is still in the business of daily manna" part: I had been asked to do some editing a few weeks ago and received an email Monday of that week stating that I would receive a stipend for my services. What a nice surprise! But God (there's that beautiful phrase again) was not finished showing me how He would provide. On Saturday morning, just before the frig was delivered, I read an email from our school board office saying the state legislature had decided to appropriate funds for the original National Board stipend from 2010-11 school year--two years ago! (This stipend had been decreased due to budget cuts.) Add these two surprises together and the difference from the cost of the refrigerator was right at one hundred dollars! Yes, the Lord provided exactly what we needed precisely when we needed it. Now the refrigerator is somewhat of a centerpiece in our kitchen--surely it is visited often in this house. In days to come if my memory of the Lord's ample provision fades and I begin to grumble like those fickle Israelites, I need to look no further than my kitchen where He has left a giant reminder: "I am Jehovah Jireh, the One who provides." Amazing grace...
Back in the worship center I listen to these precious children sing the lyrics to Hillsong's "I'm Running to Your Arms":
"You are good, You are good
When there's nothing good in me
You are love, You are love
On display for all to see
You are light, You are light
When the darkness closes in
You are hope, You are hope
You have covered all my sin.
You are peace, You are peace
When my fear is crippling
You are true, You are true
Even in my wandering
You are joy, You are joy
You're the reason that I sing
You are life, You are life
In You death has lost its sting.
Oh, I'm running to Your arms
I'm running to Your arms
The riches of Your love
Will always be enough
Nothing compares to Your embrace
Light of the world forever reign.
You are more, You are more
Than my words will ever say
You are Lord, You are Lord
All creation will proclaim
You are here, you are here
In Your presence I'm made whole
You are God, You are God
Of all else I'm letting go."
I pray that these words take root as our VBS children continue to grow in their knowledge of our Savior. For now they may only be words to some, but one day, one day I pray they will come to really know Him as their hope and their peace and their joy--their light when the darkness closes in. In His presence He does make us whole. He is here and for this day He will give us manna from heaven--just enough for this day. May we all--young and old--rest in that beautiful promise.
Saturday, June 2, 2012
The Best GPS
"The LORD will guide you always;
He will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land
and will strengthen your frame.
You will be like a well-watered garden,
like a spring whose waters never fail."
Isaiah 58:11
Guide, satisfy, and strengthen--what beautiful promises those are! The English teacher in me loves to look at verbs in Scripture--the actions that the Lord says He will do. This verse declares that the Lord will indeed do these things, and I cling to that assurance. With summer's arrival, the path ahead for the next three months is more of a cloudy maze than the structured course of the school year. I desperately need a Guide! In this sun-scorched land He is teaching me so much. I pray that I might continue to listen for His voice as He faithfully directs my path.
Last Sunday I had planned to attend the wedding of a friend's son in Tuscaloosa on my way home from a quick trip to Jackson to see my mom. This had been on my agenda for several weeks. However, on Saturday I called our 89-year old former neighbor in Hattiesburg to check on her. She has been suffering intense pain with a compression fracture in her spine the last couple of weeks and had endured a very difficult week with new pain medicine that caused a severe reaction. As we were talking, I felt that gentle nudge, that whisper from the Lord saying, "You need to go to Hattiesburg from Jackson rather than Tuscaloosa." I wrestled with this decision because I had never considered not going to the wedding. After all, these were family friends and Caleb was actually singing as part of the ceremony. But by bedtime Saturday night, that beautiful peace prevailed as I set my new GPS (God's Path Surpasses) to the direction He had guided me.
Arriving in Hattiesburg on Sunday evening, I told Mrs. Bea that I wanted to help her with some household tasks while I was there. Now this sweet lady is fiercely independent, having lived alone for some 14 years since Mr. Elam passed away. Because we had lived across the street for ten years and remained close even after our move, I know her well and was not surprised when she was resistant to my desire to help. (I suggested to her that I had a few stubborn genes myself.) Then I reminded her that if Jim were here he would show his love for her by doing things for her--serving her. (One friend claims that he was the poster child for acts of service love language!) I shared that helping her would allow me to honor him in a way as well. She relented and allowed me to do a few chores around the house. I don't know if I've ever mopped so cheerfully! The satisfaction that helping Mrs. Bea brought is truly indescribable--another promise fulfilled.
As I reflect on the weekend, I see God's grace even more clearly. He allowed me to spend time with 3 of my favorite ladies: my mom and my Aunt Elaine in Jackson and dear Mrs. Bea in Hattiesburg. All of them have struggled through this grief journey I'm walking and found peace. They encourage my heart. Part of the Lord's provision too was protection from something perhaps I wasn't yet ready for--a wedding. But beyond that was His vision for the summer ahead (one that has actually been lengthened two weeks by our state legislature and recently looked a bit formidable.) How gracious that He would reveal to me on the very first day of summer how to best spend my extended time off--by giving, by serving--as Jesus modeled and Jim so often lived. Therein lies the joy! This experience has surely strengthened me for the days ahead as I eagerly anticipate what He has planned. I'm thankful the Lord has reminded me to seek His guidance daily and be careful to listen for His loving voice. I'm convinced that this will transform what was a barren wilderness of summer into a flourishing garden!
"I will lead the blind by ways they have not known,
along unfamiliar paths I will guide them;
I will turn the darkness into light before them
and make the rough places smoot
These are the things I will do;
I will not forsake them."
Isaiah 42:16
He will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land
and will strengthen your frame.
You will be like a well-watered garden,
like a spring whose waters never fail."
Isaiah 58:11
Guide, satisfy, and strengthen--what beautiful promises those are! The English teacher in me loves to look at verbs in Scripture--the actions that the Lord says He will do. This verse declares that the Lord will indeed do these things, and I cling to that assurance. With summer's arrival, the path ahead for the next three months is more of a cloudy maze than the structured course of the school year. I desperately need a Guide! In this sun-scorched land He is teaching me so much. I pray that I might continue to listen for His voice as He faithfully directs my path.
Last Sunday I had planned to attend the wedding of a friend's son in Tuscaloosa on my way home from a quick trip to Jackson to see my mom. This had been on my agenda for several weeks. However, on Saturday I called our 89-year old former neighbor in Hattiesburg to check on her. She has been suffering intense pain with a compression fracture in her spine the last couple of weeks and had endured a very difficult week with new pain medicine that caused a severe reaction. As we were talking, I felt that gentle nudge, that whisper from the Lord saying, "You need to go to Hattiesburg from Jackson rather than Tuscaloosa." I wrestled with this decision because I had never considered not going to the wedding. After all, these were family friends and Caleb was actually singing as part of the ceremony. But by bedtime Saturday night, that beautiful peace prevailed as I set my new GPS (God's Path Surpasses) to the direction He had guided me.
Arriving in Hattiesburg on Sunday evening, I told Mrs. Bea that I wanted to help her with some household tasks while I was there. Now this sweet lady is fiercely independent, having lived alone for some 14 years since Mr. Elam passed away. Because we had lived across the street for ten years and remained close even after our move, I know her well and was not surprised when she was resistant to my desire to help. (I suggested to her that I had a few stubborn genes myself.) Then I reminded her that if Jim were here he would show his love for her by doing things for her--serving her. (One friend claims that he was the poster child for acts of service love language!) I shared that helping her would allow me to honor him in a way as well. She relented and allowed me to do a few chores around the house. I don't know if I've ever mopped so cheerfully! The satisfaction that helping Mrs. Bea brought is truly indescribable--another promise fulfilled.
As I reflect on the weekend, I see God's grace even more clearly. He allowed me to spend time with 3 of my favorite ladies: my mom and my Aunt Elaine in Jackson and dear Mrs. Bea in Hattiesburg. All of them have struggled through this grief journey I'm walking and found peace. They encourage my heart. Part of the Lord's provision too was protection from something perhaps I wasn't yet ready for--a wedding. But beyond that was His vision for the summer ahead (one that has actually been lengthened two weeks by our state legislature and recently looked a bit formidable.) How gracious that He would reveal to me on the very first day of summer how to best spend my extended time off--by giving, by serving--as Jesus modeled and Jim so often lived. Therein lies the joy! This experience has surely strengthened me for the days ahead as I eagerly anticipate what He has planned. I'm thankful the Lord has reminded me to seek His guidance daily and be careful to listen for His loving voice. I'm convinced that this will transform what was a barren wilderness of summer into a flourishing garden!
"I will lead the blind by ways they have not known,
along unfamiliar paths I will guide them;
I will turn the darkness into light before them
and make the rough places smoot
These are the things I will do;
I will not forsake them."
Isaiah 42:16
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)