I cannot believe it has been almost a year since my last post. I also cannot believe that I had the incredible blessing last year of sharing with others endurance through suffering. That my last post would be so important to me in my own life at this time. God’s merciful grace, through preparing His beloved, is so awe-inspiring that no words can describe. Only tears of joy can show how truly grateful I am for that study last year.
As I work through loss in my life, I find myself clinging to the Lord Jesus and His Word ever so much more. I am reminded that suffering is expected, suffering will come, and suffering can be overcome if we remember the only one we can count on for clarity, comfort, peace, wisdom and resolution is the Lord God Almighty. If we are faithful to taking all of our concerns to Him, we will not be disappointed.
All of us live in a fallen world of brokenness, of which we are not immune from. We wrestle with the loneliness that comes from relationship loss, abandonment, and physical bodily death. We wrestle with the wrongs that come against us in times when we think we are doing good, we wrestle with accusations made against us that are unwarranted and we wrestle with crushing name calling by others. We do not have to wrestle with however, the knowledge that we are loved unconditionally by a creator who has chosen us out of this broken world to do good works in serving Him to the best of our ability. Born into sin and saved by grace to a life filled with hope. Sharing that hope in all that we do with joy, kindness, love, patience and prayer. So that others will see in us the light of majesty in our Lord.
Satan is working overtime right now against God’s beloved and we have to pray for our brothers and sisters asking for God’s providential care to prepare the way for sight in seeing truth, to heal broken hearts, to sweeten taste of bitterness and to protect those who are yet to be called to Him. We need to be praying for the sins of those who know better, pray for those that hold judgmental thoughts against others, and for all of those who cannot control the temptation to demean others for their own self preservation.
There are so many things we fear in this broken world, and yet we do not need to fear if we have the Lord Jesus as our savior. Our sacrifices in this life are nothing compared to the sacrifices He has made for us. No matter what we do on this earth for the good of others is not even close to what He has done for others. We need to uphold the standards that He set with humility, love, compassion, forgiveness, and understanding. Doing what is right in the sight of God for those who need to be encouraged. That includes ourselves. If we take on the burdens that others try to heap upon our feeble bodies, we are not serving God. We serve ourselves. God is the only one who can change hearts. God is the only one who can lighten the load of heavy burdens. God is the only one who can move mountains that stubbornly hold their ground. God is the only one who can transform evil into good. God is the only one who can save out of death and can give life. God is the only one who can remind us that we are starving for spiritual truth more than we are starving for food. We need to have the humility to admit that we are not strong enough to do it ourselves. We need to call upon the Holy Spirit to give us clarity and wisdom to know best how to serve in humility in all that comes before us. That we would not stand proud over our accomplishments, yet that we would give Him glory for the blessings He has provided. Oh how this broken world tries to control that which is not controllable.
We have to rely on a Holy God who can take away the pain for us, who can give us strength in the most impossible situations and who can comfort us in our mourning. God be with you friends as you endure another hour, day, month and year. Till I write again….. goodnight.
It’s Christmas time and the trees are decorated, the garland is up, the music plays daily and the movie marathon has begun. It’s always such a beautiful time of year and I am so grateful and thankful that we have a home, family around, the weather is mild and the smiles are still on the faces of those dear to us.
This Christmas is going to be slightly different for our family. With change, comes sadness, and with sadness comes concern. Concern over the unknown, concern over more loss of friendships that we’ve held dear, and the acknowledgement that we live in a cruel world.
As I ponder these changes coming toward us at a rapid pace, I continue to focus on the reality that God’s grace is not about prediction, not about having all of the answers nor is it about abundance. God’s grace is about the unconditional love of a shepherd over a flock that doesn’t deserve to have Him. It’s about trusting in the unknown explicitly, knowing only one thing…there is someone who cares enough to make sure to plan out every detail so that we do not have to worry about anything. It’s about trusting in blind faith that carries our burdens for us.
For some, giving up control over the things they truly cannot control is difficult. There is an innate sense of obligation that is understandably part of human nature. How do we overcome disappointment? How do we overcome loss? How do we move beyond and trust in the Lord completely while giving up the human nature side of our inner being? Dear friend, it is not easy. It is not natural and it is not the reality for many. It takes a great deal of prayer to overcome that of which we have within us that is not of a Godly nature. Searching within ourselves, understanding who we are, where we have been and where we are going, actively seeking truth in the gospel to understand ourselves is just part of the process. Sometimes, we do not like who we see, and yet, there is a great deal of growth from being able to admit we are not who we want to be.
In years of past, for me personally, I have seen that there were a great many holidays spent trying to control how everyone saw our home, trying to be inclusive to everyone, trying to make sure that we did the best for everyone else…except for our immediate family. Notice how this sounds. It was all about a visual outward appearance. I thought I was doing what was right in the eyes of everyone else except the one of which we honor during this season. Taking a step back, I reflect on my own insecurities in wanting to be accepted and to be unconditionally loved. I had forgotten the whole point of that precious gift that Christmas represents. I can honestly say that although I still struggle with some of those feelings, I have in the last year especially understood that I am as I was created to be, by the unconditional love of a Father who blessed me with life. No one this earth will ever love me or care for me as much as He who gave life, only to take that life so that others may be cleansed and be given life. It’s not about the outward appearance. It’s about an internal struggle given up to become someone new. Someone who can enjoy loved ones that are held dear and make them a priority while also offering up thanksgiving to a God who has provided so much.
A year ago, I could never have seen what was yet to come. I have learned to love in different ways while slowly learning to give up that which I am unable to control. One of those things is the incredible love for two beautiful fur babies that have become part of our family. Two sweets pups who were rescued from the horrors of shelters, abandonment and loss. In some ways, I can relate to these two, and to love them unconditionally has been a wonderful growing experience for myself and for my family. They have helped me to personally accept the lack of control I have in this life, remember that love comes in different packages and that when we let go of that control that dwells within us, we can learn to embrace the joy of life and the one who blessed us with it. Nothing in life comes easy, and nothing in life should give us such worry that we cannot look beyond to see the blessings we truly have. Life itself is a blessing.
Our two fur babies who have captured our hearts.
Welcomed into the local Humane Animal Welfare Society from a kill shelter in Alabama. He is beautiful both in his appearance and in his personality. He is little lover that cannot get enough and therefore he gives much.
It all started with her capturing our heart from a local shelter where she was brought up from Missouri after her litter mates and she were abandoned by their mother at 2 days old. We fostered her from 6 weeks until her adoption and she has been our sweet loving example of the preciousness of unconditional love.
As we celebrate the season of giving and thanksgiving, it is my prayer that we can all be reminded of the gift that was presented to us many years ago. A gift that would carry the burdens of the flock to an eternal peace. The gift of a savior who came to spare those in despair from lives of uncertainty, separation, and death. Be well sweet ones and embrace that of which has come your way, without worry, and without concern, identifying that which holds you back. Giving thanksgiving to the Lord who has opened your eyes to knowing that He has unconditional love for all who trust in Him with their whole being.
I haven’t written once again and although I consider it I am lost in my thoughts without much to say.
I recently commented to a few individuals I respect, how much I cannot understand the sin of the world. It dumb founds me. I mean, I know it is because of the fall of man yet I see so much evil and sin around me that I just have a difficult time understanding it or wrapping my head around it. I think that’s why I haven’t been able to write. I just cannot seem to say what I want to.
So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. 1 John 4:16
As I sit here on this beautiful day, I praise God that my family is together, we respect one another, we praise and worship together and we stand by one another. I thank God for saving me and capturing my heart, turning me away from the sin of the world and for saving my husband and children. I know that we will make mistakes and be tempted as long as we are here on this earth, yet I also know that God has instilled in us the moral character of faithful Christians who will recognize temptation as it comes our way so that we will have the ability to turn away and turn toward Him. Oh the blessing of His saving Grace and for His Word that sustains and leads.
Last night we said goodbye to another beloved family member. It’s interesting how life works and how even when a loved one has turned away from God for the purpose of self indulgences, family still stands by out of love for that individual and can pray and weep in mourning together. He may not have been perfect, he had his faults, yet he was loved by many.
Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Corinthians 13:7
Over the years I sat by and observed how my uncle loved his children and those around him. He tried to be a part of their lives in so many ways. His children unfortunately, no matter how hard he tried, walked away from him in either silence or defiance. Their sin was repeatedly overlooked by him due to his love for them. I never understood why he continued to try so hard only to be disappointed over and over. In the last few years of his life, my uncle had let go of trying so hard and accepted his place in their lives, which by witnessing his lifestyle became apparent he had a hole in his heart he was trying to fill.
I was sitting here this afternoon, resting, eating my lunch, and watching the end of a movie, during which I was profoundly overcome with tears and joy over a discussion that took place in the movie. Let me recap the conversation:
Man: “Do you love me?”
Woman: “What is your interest in me? What do you want? I don’t get it? I’m old, I’m broke, I can’t cook a decent meal, I’m fat…Why would you love a ruined person that ruins other people?”
Man: “Is that it? You think that because you screwed up once you don’t get a second chance?”
(Fast forward through the description of his sinfulness of adultery etc.)
Man: “My kids are still mad. I get a calendar for Christmas. It doesn’t matter if your kids love you or not…It’s not their job to love you….It’s your job to love them! That’s why you were put here. That’s why you’re their mom. That’s why I’m my kids dad. I love my kids so much….”
I thought of two things:
While my uncle had so may years of loving and forgiving his children for their own sin, his love for them was felt and known. Whether or not they accepted it didn’t matter, they knew he loved them unconditionally. He didn’t put prerequisites on their behavior in order for him to love them, he just did because he was their dad. He forgave them time and time again, waiting patiently for them to come to him while still showing them he loved them. With sadness, he never got to witness their homecoming back into his life. It was on his deathbed that one of his children stood over him holding his hand telling him he loved him. His other child lives across the country so it’s unknown what their reaction was. I am betting that there was soul searching and a broken heart.
I listened to the conversation, with ears hearing that of the Father who gave so much for his children out of unconditional love. I know that the movie did not intend to portray that of scripture, yet for me it struck a chord and moved me to finally be able to write what I’m thinking. As a parent, do we love our children unconditionally? Do I love my children and look beyond their sin? Do I show them how much I love them? When I am departing this world will my children be able to say, “Mom loved me and gave me her all. She wasn’t selfish in her own ambitions in life, she was not into self indulgences, she was a woman filled with the Word of God loving, serving and forgiving unconditionally”?
Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 1John 4:7-11
I am sad for my uncle that he could not see how much his children loved him, yet, as spoken above, I think God has used and will continue to use the examples he set for others to perhaps take note and consider. If not now, then perhaps when and or if the Lord calls them by name. He loved unconditionally and he lived and died unknowing. I will miss his love for my family, especially for my mom. He was there for her from the beginning, always embracing the roll of the big brother, protecting and supporting in some of her darkest moments of fear, rejection and loss. His love for my own family over many years was amazing. He took an interest….. I think that’s the part I have missed and will continue to miss the most. I don’t know whether or not I will see my uncle again as I don’t know where he stood with God. Sadly he did not live a life dedicated to Jesus Christ according to His Word. I only know that whatever relationship he had with God is between the two of them, and God has blessed me with the treasured memories of a predominantly selfless man that will have to last a lifetime.
Perhaps this is a bunch of jumbled thoughts to you dear reader, yet I hope that through my writing I have offered you something. Either sparked a thought, sparked a conversation or sparked an interest in learning more of a loving Father and that in which we are created for on this earth.
The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. 1Timothy 1:5
Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.” John 14:21
Swimming with the fishes…perhaps we should look beyond the definition and remember that sometimes bottom feeders are also the ones cleaning the tank.
Kindness and integrity are something that are rarely seen today. I know the answer to the why question is sin. It still astounds me however, that even as “cultured”, well rounded, and advanced we are as a society and in our understanding of the world and one another we seem to lack kindness and integrity. Lost somewhere between the “all about me” and “life is good” mentality.
Last week I received an invitation from a former doctors office (of which I left 3 years ago). The invitation was for classes that were coming up called “Eliminate Bottom Feeders”. The minute I saw the title I was stunned. Reading more of it I was flabbergasted at the “all about me” instruction I was invited to. It read:
How miserable are you with the toxic people in your life? ARE YOU READY TO BE A BETTER YOU in every life situation no matter who is in front of you?……..instructions to transform your life into one of simplicity and freedom……Best of all, you’ll learn the proven methods to attract positive, loving, and inspiring people into your world today.
I cannot write any more of what is on this flyer. I’m frustrated just writing it. Seriously? The all about “me” worldly viewpoint once again protruding off the page. Call me old fashioned, call me old or call me anything, however, this is down right what is wrong with our society and world as a whole. We fight for ideology, we fight for justice (as long as it benefits us) and we fight for happiness (our own). What ever happened to fighting for others for no good reason or for justice just because it’s morally the right thing to do. Our culture seems to enjoy reality shows where people are glamified in their sins and any redeeming quality that does exist is overshadowed by laughter, criticism and hatefulness.
Is this what is wrong with our youth? Is the next generation going to serve a purposeful place in society? The questions should be considered.
There are several situations that have recently transpired in in the last week where I’ve had to look around and consider how to handle individuals that have taken the “me” attitude. In dealing with those situations, with those individuals I have considered just turning them away because as the class title states, they were bottom feeders. Anyone who knows me however, knows that doing that is not in my personality. I have had to consider in each situation the attempt to overshadow the “me” concept with love, forgiveness and kindness. I’ve prayed over my own heart and asked for guidance in my reactions. In order to understand more clearly I also looked up “bottom feeder” and this is what it said:
bottom feeder – leech, or in other words a total lack of responsibility to provide for oneself. Relies heavily upon friends, neighbors or anyone really for sustenance.
This of course allowed something to lay upon my heart with great pressure. That if someone is a bottom feeder, and they are going to rely on others for sustenance, can’t we assist them by being a good example and steward in what it means to give back? I mean, if they are going to rely on us, perhaps that is God’s way of blessing us with opportunity. Perhaps, that is where He will use us in our service to Him. Just maybe, that person is someone that needs to see kindness so that they too may go out one day and bless another with the same. What if we as a society, stopped watching all of the “me” media and reality shows with our children and rather, began to outsource our energy to brighten someone else’s day with a kind gesture, a kind word, or a smile. What about a meal for someone who is unable to cook, weeding someones garden because they aren’t able, taking in a neighbors garbage can when it blows in the street or even opening a door for someone who is struggling whether it be due to little children or a disability? What about a prayer and an email to someone you know needs the encouragement? Most of all what about forgiveness? The posibilities are endless. Remember, bottom feeder are also the ones that are cleaning the tanks. They are of value and they could be your blessing.
Our culture also tries to make our children and one another believe that every relationship is a fairytale. That every day you wake up you should be singing, laughing and never complaining. I’m sorry to say that you can read self help books till the cow’s come home and you will never find that to be true. If all that is taught is what is in the movies or on reality TV about what they call “true” happiness, one is surely to be disappointed. In fact, maybe that’s why so many people are on antidepressant drugs. Perhaps, rather than instructing one another on how to rid ourselves of people who drag us down, maybe we should begin sharing with one another how we have dealt with struggles in our own lives. You never know, it just may assist in the mind set of someone who has a lack of coping skills. Life is full of challenges and we cannot escape them, we need to learn to cope with them.
John 16:33English Standard Version (ESV)
33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
Now, don’t misunderstand what I’m saying. There are boundaries to everything, and there are priorities. We should not be forsaking our families attention for that of others. We do not put our families on hold so that we can attempt to “save the world”. However, we should be able to balance our families and others who maybe don’t know what it means to not be selfish. Even the example of serving our families can be seen by others. When I was in College, one of our classes required us to read a book called, Give A Man A Fish and He Will Eat For A Day, Teach A Man To Fish and He Will Eat For A LifeTime. A concept we have long forgotten.
As I ponder this week how I may assist in showing that which I know to be good stewardship to all those I encounter, I consider also what it means to be content. Content with this life on this earth. Contentment with illness, with family, with friends, with volunteering my time and with contentment in all things. I hope that you too will consider where our society is today and the culture that is vastly becoming all of our reality. How can we play a part in transforming just one person from being a “me” thinking individual to being a “difference maker”.
(I personally would like to have my own class…6 weeks in teaching others how to go beyond themselves in behavior and in thought.) ha ha ha
ESV — 1 Timothy 6:1-10 6 Let all who are under a yoke as bondservants1 regard their own masters as worthy of all honor, so that the name of God and the teaching may not be reviled. 2 Those who have believing masters must not be disrespectful on the ground that they are brothers; rather they must serve all the better since those who benefit by their good service are believers and beloved.
False Teachers and True Contentment
Teach and urge these things. 3 If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound 2 words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness, 4 he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions, 5 and constant friction among people who are depraved in mind and deprived of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain. 6 But godliness with contentment is great gain, 7 for we brought nothing into the world, and3 we cannot take anything out of the world. 8 But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. 9 But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.
Anecdotes for loving one another even if you don’t see eye to eye in every area of your lives:
1. Remember, God created each of us individually, a beautiful arrangement that He can look upon with joy!
2. Think about how boring the world would be if we all behaved and acted alike. It’s okay to stand out and accept those who do not fit in a square societal box!
3. Rather than asking yourself why others aren’t doing enough, ask yourself whether or not you are doing enough!
4. Remember, true forgiveness and hope for restoration always come after repentance, not before.
5. Keep in mind that most of us are ugly caterpillars before we bloom into beautiful butterflies.
