Search For Diamonds

Diamonds are beautiful, no doubt about it.








I love the diamonds that the rain makes! Drops of water, glistening in the light, tempting my imagination to think they are real jewels.

 

 

             

We don't usually think of "rain" as something that beautifies our lives, giving us sparkling, beautiful diamonds to look at and admire. At times they are difficult to see but if we search for them, we will find them. Diamonds of God's loving care and answered prayer are everywhere. Diamonds of blessings and joys and pleasures, diamonds of His protection, of lessons to learn, of people to help, of promises from His Word.

One would be a fool to think that in life's rains there are no sparkles, nothing good or beautiful, nothing gained or learned. These things are there, all it takes is an open eye, a listening ear and a receptive heart and mind to Him who sends them.

And ye shall seek Me and find Me when ye shall search for Me with all your heart. (Jeremiah 29:13)

Those Who Care

(Credit: Boston Globe)

 Since yesterday, April 15th, the hearts of those who have warm human blood flowing through their veins have grieved, ached and cried over the pain and loss of the many in Boston, Massachusetts who have even greater reason to grieve, ache and cry than we do.

Our minds are numb as we unsuccessfully try to understand the mentality of those who have not warm but cold blood in their veins and, seemingly, only desire to do evil. We do not comprehend such behavior other than that "the heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked; who can know it?" (Jer.17:9) 

When I was about five years old I had my first exposure to death. We used to stop by the house of a young couple with their baby girl to give them a ride to church. One day the young mother heated up a pot of water, preparing to give the baby a bath but the one-year-old pulled the pot of boiling water over onto herself and died. My parents thought it best that I go to the funeral. When I walked into the church for the service, I saw the young mother sitting on a bench in the back of the church, as far away from the tiny coffin as she could get. She of course was crying, her head bent over, her shoulders shaking with sobs. Amazing, the details that a five-year-old can remember.




(Credit: Reuters)

During this funeral, the song "Does Jesus Care?" was sung. It probably was not the first time I'd heard it but it is the first time I remember hearing it. Almost every time I hear it or think of the words I remember this incident, one of my very earliest memories.

Does Jesus care in the midst of this tragedy in Boston? Does God care that three lives were snuffed out and that many more are in acute physical pain while their loved ones are in acute emotional and mental pain? Do we care that they are in pain? Oh yes, Jesus does, God does and we do.

And we pray for them because there is little else that we can do and because we know that God answers prayer.

"Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you." (I Peter 5:7)

Restless Legs Syndrome

RLS...It's what some people suffer with, especially at night. Once in awhile I do, too, but it used to be more often, not a pleasant thing to experience. Simply put, it's bad circulation in your legs that makes you feel the need to move them. In fact, moving them is the only relief you can usually get. Lest you think that I consider this to be a blessing, let me assure you that I haven't arrived yet at that point. But today I was thinking about this and comparing it to how we can feel restless in emotional, mental or even spiritual ways. 

I know that there have been times when I have felt so restless that I knew I HAD to move myself out of the house and go find someone to witness to or at least give a Gospel tract to. Sometimes the need is just for a change of scenery to clear my heart and mind, to breathe fresh air, to get a new perspective on things. To get some circulation going, if you will.

I believe that God puts spiritual restlessness in us when He wants us to get moving, when He has something He wants us to do. There's only one cure for such restlessness and that's OBEDIENCE. When we obey Him we will start moving. The relief is wonderful, I can assure you. In this sense, restless legs (or hands or mind or heart...) can be a blessing!

I wonder if this bird has RLS? :)

But this thing commanded I them, saying, Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and ye shall be my people: and walk ye in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well unto you. (Jeremiah 7:23)

Sweet Baby Boy

Little baby boy, so new and sweet and cuddly, love from your family surrounds you like a fence...protecting, caring, desiring God's best for you. "Whom having not seen, you love...". I know that verse is referring to Christ but, for the occasion, I'm pulling it out of context and letting it express how I feel about you and me. We haven't seen each other and you know nothing about me, but even though I haven't seen you, I do love you...for you are my grandson.

I have a promise from God just for you, I want you to take it with you wherever you go:

"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."

(Jeremiah 29:11)

Happy one-week birthday! God bless you, precious little grandson.
(baby photo: M. Thorp)