As I started the wash this morning, I double checked pockets before throwing things into the washer. I smiled as I pulled out a rock. It’s been awhile since I’ve found rocks like this now that the boys are older. I shook my head as memories of family hikes came to thought. Hiking with the kids when they were young was an experience. I would take a pack that had what we needed – water, snacks, first aid supplies, etc. Funny thing though – my pack was always much more full coming in from a hike than going out. You see, the kids would collect all kinds of things, especially rocks. When pockets were full or the discovery was larger than the pocket, mom would end up with it in her pack. If one of the kids didn’t want a jacket after awhile, mom would end up with it in her pack. If a child didn’t want to hold on to their water, mom would end up with it in her pack. The picture is clear.
Standing still with my memories, I think about such a picture relating to this long hike we are on called life. As we are hiking we find ourselves carrying extra “pack items”. Sometimes they are “rocks” we pick up. Sometimes they are things handed to us that really aren’t ours but we take them on. Often we end up with a heavy load – borne with difficulty. It can be oppressive – a pack full of burdens. Some of those burdens are ours to carry. But a great deal of what we have in our “packs” are burdens we weren’t meant to bear. We hold on to anxiety and worry. We jump into situations and battles of others – perhaps with good intentions – resulting in adding strife. Often we over extend ourselves by trying to carry too much at a given time.
Frustration, weakness and exhaustion begin to set in.
At his point we just need to lay ‘em down.
Our Father has promised to bear our burdens with us, to sustain us, to care for us.
I need to stand still a bit longer as I lay a few things down. I invite you to do the same.
Psalm 68:19 Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens
Psalm 55:22 Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you.
1 Peter 5:7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
October 7, 2010
October 6, 2010
GRACE
Compassion, kindness, forgiveness, benevolence, favor, tenderness, goodness, generosity, mercy, and love. Put all those things together into one word and you have GRACE.
I’ve been standing still with that word. I almost cannot comprehend that a single word can offer so much. What is even more unfathomable is the fact that GRACE is all those things freely given – no cost – unwarranted – unmerited.
I would like to think that I exhibit traits of grace. I know that I hold in my heart those traits and try to express them especially to those dear to me – my husband, my children, my family members and friends. I would hope that perhaps others are able to see at least a portion of grace in me.
I recognize though, that I am unable of fully giving grace. At times the goodness and kindness I have to offer are conditional. It is easier to show mercy and be benevolent toward those who have given the same towards me. The forgiveness I give may not be complete as I hold on to the hurt and in a little dark corner of my heart resentment hides. I’m not always in a loving mood, especially on “those” days.
That freely given, unwarranted, unmerited part that makes grace GRACE?---- uh little short on that.
(SIGH…..LONNNGGG SIGH)
There is one enduring Friend who offers grace to the fullness of all measure – heaven reaching out to cover us in GRACE completely. I am humbled…, awed…, thankful.
Although I am incapable of fully giving grace to others I’ve decided I can
-continue to share the One who is capable of true GRACE; and
-pray that I can reflect to others His GRACE.
Incidentally, as I pondered GRACE, a friend pointed out to me that if GRACE wasn’t enough – as a result of true GRACE we are given peace. It is the peace that is not of this world (John 14:27); the peace that surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:7). In God’s Word, St. Paul
John 1:16 From the fullness of his GRACE we have all received one blessing after another.
Romans 3:24 …and are justified freely by his GRACE through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.
Ephesians 2:8 For it is by GRACE you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—
October 5, 2010
Using both oars
We were talking with a neighbor about kayaking. Growing up in the midwest, the closest thing to kayaking was an old aluminum rowboat we used on the lake. It’s been awhile since I’ve thought about that rowboat. When we were young we’d sit next to each other taking an oar and row out onto the lake. I’m chuckling as I remember that we often ended up rowing in circles because one of us was older and stronger as we handled the oars. The older or stronger one had to temper their stroke to match that of our partner to straighten out. Once we were old enough to row on our own, we often still would find ourselves rowing in circles due to a dominant stroke that may have depended on the stronger arm – right or left.
As I stand still, I think that rowing in that old rowboat is kind of a metaphor for life. And a question arises for me …
Am I rowing straight ahead or going in circles?
In the daily grind, we interact with people on all different levels. As I work with people, do I sit along side of them and temper my rowing? I may need to give that other person encouragement, patience, understanding or maybe guidance and instruction so we can pilot our course. I may also need to be on the receiving end of that encouragement, patience, understanding or guidance which means admitting my own fears, shortcomings or flaws. Hard work.
Am I rowing straight ahead or going in circles?
When I try to row out into life on my own am I using both oars? Can I recognize when I’m so focused one aspect of things, pulling hard on that one oar, I’m actually just going in circles wearing myself out? Or what about those times when I get overextended and I try to row a little to this side and a little to that side, a little to this side, a little to that side? Progress isn’t really made very well that way either.
What is really needed as I row my boat is a coxswain. The coxswain is someone who sits in the stern of the boat facing the bow – he steers and coordinates the rhythm of the rowing. The coxswain is in command of the boat, provides motivation and encouragement, directs and can see all that lies ahead keeping the boat safe.
A smile crosses my face – I have the perfect coxswain. All I need to do is to listen to His calls. Acknowledge Him as the master of the vessel. If I do I will be on course, avoid unnecessary accidents, never get worn out rowing myself in circles and am guaranteed to reach my destination.
I think I’m ready to keep rowing my boat!
October 4, 2010
Mourning the Loss --- and Rejoicing.
Two days ago, a family I am acquainted with experienced the death of their precious and beautiful daughter. After a long struggle with brain cancer, she was taken into the arms of our Heavenly Father. Others cannot truly know the loss, the pain… the sorrow in the hearts of this family. Surrounded by those who love them offering comfort, there is an emptiness, an anxious void, disappointed dreams, tears…
There are no words that can express the loss. There are no words to take away the hurt.
Our family knows this. May 12, 1994, our baby girl was taken into the loving arms of Our Lord.
Even knowing my own sorrow, I can have no comprehension of their loss – all I have to give this family is very heartfelt, loving prayer.
Father,
Your ways are not our ways; Your thoughts are not our thoughts (Isaiah 55:8). We have no words we can say to this family. But You do. I pray Lord that You speak to their hearts – through Your Word, through others around them…through the whispers that only You can speak directly to their hearts. Assure them of Your presence as they feel brokenhearted and crushed in spirit (Psalm 34:18). Let them see You, feel You, hear You in a tangible audible and visual manner – ever present, walking through this valley. In this time of great sorrow allow them to see triumph. Give them comfort as you proclaim - “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting? …But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15:55, 57).” Assure them of Your compassion and unfailing love (Lamentations 3:32). Assure them that even when they feel nothing but emptiness in their hearts and feel they have no words to pray, you understand and hear for the Spirit prays for them with groans words cannot understand (Romans 8:26). Allow them to cling to Your promise that you will personally “wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain” (Revelation 21:4). As they wonder how to continue, what each day now holds, or what to look for to face the next moment at times – give them Your hope (Psalms 39:7). Let “your unfailing love rest upon” them as they put their hope in You (Psalms 33:22). Grant them with the knowledge that pain and healing can exist together. There can be mourning and rejoicing.
Rejoicing of what was - there was laughter, joyful moments, memories, hugs, time – although not enough, a life lived, faith in her heart.
Rejoicing of what is – relief, healing, salvation, perfection, joy, love…all of which exists in Your glorious presence.
Rejoicing of what will be – reunion.
Let them know as Pastor Bill said to us “Our Christian faith has in its heart a song that cannot be silenced, a praise that our tears cannot still.”
I pray this and all the words in my heart that I cannot express in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Amen
October 1, 2010
Truth's found in the garden
I have spent a good portion of the last two days “tending the garden” as a British friend would say. Truthful translation: a good portion of the last two days has been spent cleaning, pruning, weeding, recovering and tending to the entire yard which was left to languish the past month and a half due to neglect. In my defense there has been little time between family events, taking Kid1 to college, the start of school schedules, sports schedules, youth meeting, parent council, etc (please feel free to add to my list of excuses).
As I worked I found quite a few spiritual life parallels and truths:
-There are so many weeds and pests that can invade the garden – choking, sapping, stunting, killing growth – if we are not attentive in care.
-Weeds are sneaky – they slink in, grow quickly and spread even more quickly; it’s easier to catch them as you regularly weed rather than deal with the overwhelming bunches that have taken root.
-Sometimes the garden needs to be pruned, cut back, in order to bring forth optimum growth and fruitfulness.
-There is a proper time for everything; a time to plant, a time to nurture, a time for pruning, a time to reap and a time to leave fallow.
-If a plant has strong deep roots, it can withstand the dry season.
-The gardener will harvest what is planted – he can’t expect anything else.
-The yard work – “gardening” – is a lot easier when it is a collaborative effort (people working together, sharing the burden, encouraging one another, sharing knowledge and experiencing together the joy of the harvest).
-Just as we need to take time to tend; we also need to take time to enjoy the beauty and produce of the garden.
I know I had other insights but these are a few that stuck with me. Stand still for a minute in your “garden”. Share what you find. I’d love you to be part of my collaborative “garden” crew.
My prayer today is for those gardening – may you find your field ripe and a harvest waiting.
John 4:36 Even now the reaper draws his wages, even now he harvests the crop for eternal life, so that the sower and the reaper may be glad together.
Galatians 6:9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
James 3:18 Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.
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