1/31/2010

Rain

Rain is certainly a good thing-a perfect gift from Him. He created it to meet some of our most basic of needs and also that of the earth. It refreshes, nourishes, cleans...who can complain about that?! It even makes music-beautiful music! Have you ever paid attention to that music? There's a poem which is entitled "The Music of the Rain", from which come these lines: "...It seems a mighty symphony at times, when down it pours, As it splashes and it crashes as the oceans on their shores. The trumpets, drums and cymbals of the rain together play To make loud, harmonious music and a lovely melody. Then enter the sweet instruments of flute and harp and strings, As the raindrops sprinkle, then they tinkle like the birds that sing...." There is a lovely little phrase that comes from a certain song. It says "into each life some rain must fall". We can't say that it's Scripture, but we can certainly say that it's true. No life, no marriage, no family, no generation can escape the rain that will inevitably fall. But remember that rain is a good thing. Admittidly, at times we think there is an overabundance as we look at the destruction and pain and (what we think is) permanent damage. But whether our rain is literal or symbolic, the truth applies that God is in control. He will not allow more than we can handle. The umbrella of His love and care will be over us at all times, protecting us from the elements..."til the storm passes by".

1/25/2010

Take My Picture, Please!

As I said in a previous post, every rose is different. But, interestingly, whenever a new one blooms I want to take pictures of it-even if I have 40-11 pictures of an (almost) identical one from the same bush! Now doesn't that sound just like a mom?? She admires, croons and swoons over each child, thinking it's just the most beautiful one in the world at the moment, worthy of dozens of pictures taken from every possible angle, even though she thought the same thing, umm....3 years ago? Or, as in the case of roses, perhaps just 1 week ago! Ah yes, mothers are like that, they try to capture the moments escaping from their hands, showing, sending and posting these pictures for all who care-or don't care-to see them. And she doesn't care if they don't care...she's oblivious to all of that, only knowing that she loves and admires each little rose as it blooms.

1/23/2010

Trust


I am desparately trying to find a "perfect gift" from the Lord in the middle of some painful days. It's difficult to look at a negative time in one's life as a gift given to you in love but I am having to trust Him in an extra-special way, remembering that He is in control, nothing is impossible with Him and He will work things out in the way that will bring most glory to Him. That is difficult for me to see at this point but I know I must trust Him, that He will work all things out for our good and His glory. And also to keep my own sanity. Trust. It's a gift from Him to me. Even more wonderful, is that I have Him to trust!
"Preserve me, O God; for in Thee do I put my trust." (Psalm 16:1)

1/18/2010

Morning

I am a morning person...after I have my coffee, that is! But, coffee or not, I just love those early morning hours when the air is fresh, the day is new and those first rays of sun are gently warm-no matter the climate you live in. It's also in the morning when I feel most motivated, ideas tend to come to my brain and I feel like I could conquer the world with my burst of courage! Have you ever watched a sunrise? It is a thing of glory and beauty-a bit of a different flavor than a sunset. One is a beginning, the other is an end. But both are worthy of-you guessed it-reaching for my camera so that I can savor the moment again in the future. Have you ever heard the song, "Morning Has Broken"? I love it, because the words and the music captures some of the essence of what I am trying to say here.

Morning has broken, like the first morning. Blackbird has spoken, like the first bird. Praise for the singing, praise for the morning, Praise for them springing fresh from the Word.

Thank You, Lord, for the gift of morning!

1/12/2010

No Pain


Do we take too much for granted? Ah yes, frequently and regularly. But it's not until we are without something that we realize how much we have taken that thing for granted. "No pain" is what I am specifically referring to right now. We go through most of our lives with no pain, thank the Lord, but sometimes He finds it necessary to insert a certain amount of pain into our comfortable existence and routine.

When I was going through chemo a few years ago, every day and almost every hour I was experiencing some sort of pain or discomfot. But I clearly remember one glorious morning when I woke up and noticed that I was not experiencing any of this. The bed was perfectly comfortable, the room was the perfect temperature, my body was in a relaxed, comfy position and...best of all!...I noticed that I was not feeling any pain! I lay there, afraid to move, just enjoying the luxury of the moment and thanking the Lord for such a blessing. It was a small but beautiful moment that brightened the darkness of those months, a startling glimpse of His tenderness to me, a wonderful memory that I'll treasure, amazed and grateful to Him for giving me such a gift. 

"And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away." (Revelation 21:4)

1/09/2010

Life!

From beginning to end, life is a gift. A gift is something someone freely gives you-you don't pay for it and you probably don't deserve it. So is physical life. God created it and gave it to us. And, as a gift, we may do with it as we choose. We can cherish and care for it or we can waste and neglect it. Which will it be?? So, too, we have spiritual life in Christ. Freely and lovingly given, those who accept it by faith are the only ones who possess it. Will we cherish it or neglect it? Let us choose the former for it is beyond value. Jesus, Rose of Sharon, bloom within my heart...

"...I am come that they might have
life, and that they might have it
more abundantly." (John 10:10)

1/02/2010

God's Word, the Bible


The gifts of God are too many to name but His Word is definitely one of them! What power it has, what comfort it brings, what lessons it teaches, what guidance it gives...there is no limit to what it can do and be in our lives. Those who know, believe, love and obey God will know, believe, love and obey His Word, too. They go hand in hand, you cannot have one without the other. God's Word is truth and nothing needs to be added to or taken from it. He has said it, I believe it, that settles it...as the old song says. There have been times in my life when a Scripture verse was my main source of strength and comfort to carry me through a difficult time. There have been other times when it was the reason for my joy as it called to my attention certain blessings from Him. I cannot live without His Word and I really don't know how I would react to a situation where I did not have it available at my side. Lord, I love Your Word! Help me to always hide it in my heart, practice it in my life and to do my best to make sure that those around me know and love it, too.

"Sanctify them through Thy truth; Thy Word is truth." (John 17:17)