ONLY SKIN DEEP

The other day "The Hub" and I had to go to the dermatologist.

And since we live almost an hour away from his office, we scheduled back-to-back appointments.

We made the long, twisty trip – and stepped out into an oven.

I don't know how hot it was – well over 100 degrees – but if I'd had an egg handy, I'm sure it would have fried, in my hand.

We were early for our appointments, but opted to go and sit inside where the cooling A/C wafted over our sweat-covered brows and reminded us of an oasis.  (Poetic touch…nice, huh?!)

As we waited, I looked around at the people surrounding us.

This day there was a good across-the-board representation of all ages.

Usually there's a preponderance of middle-aged people in various stages of *skin repair.*

I've put them into categories…

There are the people who have spent way too many hours in the sun – just like "The Hub” and I – and have the marks and bumps and discolorations to prove it.  This is the consultation and check-up crowd.

Then there are the people who have had some sort of procedure to fix the various marks and bumps and discolorations.  Trust me, people, we've seen some gnarly looking bandages and some Frankenstein-worthy stitches!

Finally, there are the ladies (and the occasional gentleman) with obvious (mostly well done) plastic surgery and injections of various fillers.

May the Lord forgive me, but I always seem to judge.

Besides the fact that plastic surgery is very expensive, I am way too afraid to have anything done on me!  I would be the unfortunate soul with numbness, or residual twitching, or hardness, or scarring, or any number of "Wow, that usually doesn't happen" complications.

Now don't get me wrong, I respect anyone's right to plastic surgery, and if you've had some done yourself, you go for it!

But I will never understand what makes anyone think that giant lips or a frozen face or a perpetually surprised expression is attractive.  Just my opinion…


OK, so finally we're ushered into the examining room, after politely being asked whether we'd like to be seen separately.  I am tempted to say that we'd rather not be seen at all, but I keep my thoughts to myself.

It's a *full skin check* day, so there's disrobing involved.

OK, no big deal, it's not like "The Hub" and I are showing off anything we haven't seen before.  But still, in a doctor's office, it all feels a little weird.

My appointment was first, so I got to sit on the examining chair.

"The Hub" sat across from me in another chair.

As I looked over at him, and then looked down at myself, I started laughing.

"What's so funny?" he asked me.

"Look at us.  Here we are in our matching hospital gowns, nude as the day we were born.  What a pair we make!" I chuckled.

He started laughing, too.

That's when I made the comment, "Wow, living large!"

I just could not stop laughing.


All things considered, I like the fact that "The Hub" and I go to all our doctors' appointments together.  I like having him with me to make sure that I get all my questions answered, and that I have all the follow-up instructions accurate and complete.

And truthfully, I get very nervous at doctor's appointments, so it's nice to have some back-up along.

I think he takes me along so that I hear all the information first-hand. That way he doesn't have to deal with my million questions when he gets home…

"Did you ask about…?"

"What did he tell you to…?"

"Why didn’t you remember to say…?"


So it's nice to bond over appointment time (???)

However, I have noticed in all my medical travels that it's usually middle-aged and older people that travel together.  I know my parents never went to an appointment alone.

Retirement at its best??

So, sitting there in that examining room, in our matching gowns, waiting to have our marks, bumps, and discolorations checked out, I felt kinda old.

How on earth did this happen?

The years keep piling on, and I keep aging, but inside I feel much the same as I did a good long time ago.

It's one of time's mysteries, I think.


So finally the doctor came in.

And, like a mad scientist with his bug-sized goggles on, he inspected me from head-to-toe.

Randomly and rapidly, without any warning, he took his trusty little canister of liquid nitrogen and zapped several *things* on my body.  (This is called cryotherapy – I think because it hurts and makes you shed a tear or two).

Then it was "The Hub's" turn – he got zapped, too.

The doctor shook our hands – thank you, Igor – and left the room.

The kind nurse assistant asked if we'd like her to leave while we put our clothes back on.  We told her that we didn't care if she stayed, as long as she didn't laugh.

I thought I heard a snicker, but it might just have been her clearing her throat??

And as "The Hub" and I paid the bill, I looked at our blistered bodies and thought to myself, once again, "What a pair we make…"


On the drive home, I got to thinking about skin.

Skin is really an amazing thing.

Here's some fun facts:

1. It's the body's largest organ.

2. An average adult's skin spans 21 square feet, weighs nine pounds, and contains more than 11 miles of blood vessels.

3. In one square inch of skin there are 625 sweat glands and 90 oil glands. There are also 19 million cells, 19 feet of blood vessels, 19,000 sensory cells, 65 hairs, and about one million pores.  Best of all, 20 million microscopic animals, such as mites, live in each square inch.  (I am the hostess with the mostest??)

4. Every inch of your skin has an exact stretchiness and strength for its location.

5. Your skin performs a range of different functions, which include physically protecting your bones, muscles and internal organs, and protecting your body from outside diseases.

6. Skin plays an important role in regulating body temperature, allowing you to feel and react to heat and cold and using blood to regulate your body heat. Your skin acts as your body's thermostat.

7. The skin releases as much as three gallons of sweat a day in hot weather. (Areas that don't sweat include the nail bed, the margins of the lips, and the eardrums).

8. Body odor comes from a second kind of sweat – a fatty secretion – and the odor is caused by bacteria on the skin eating and digesting those fatty compounds.  (Yum…)

9. A fetus doesn't develop fingerprints until three months' gestation.  Some people never develop fingerprints at all.

10. Your skin regenerates itself, shedding its dead skin cells on a daily basis, creating a new layer of skin every 28 days.

11. Your skin sheds 50,000 cells every minute.

12. Globally, dead skin accounts for about a billion tons of dust in the atmosphere.  (OK, this is just disgusting.  Forget global warming, global shedding is a much more serious problem, eh?!)

13. There are at least five types of receptors in the skin that respond to pain and to touch.

14. All mammals have some hair on their skin, even if it isn't easy for you to see.  And some animals have very thick skin – for example, a rhinoceros’ skin can be as thick as ½" – 2".  (However, though a rhino may be thick-skinned, I wouldn’t tease him, just sayin').


Those are some fun physical facts, but there is a spiritual fact that is also true.

While we live on this earth, our skin is like the body's *house.*

It's a temporary abode for all the things that make us who we are.

The Bible calls our body a *tent* – and I can think of no more apt description for our skin – a covering that shelters us for a time, until we return home.

For indeed, there will come a day when we leave this body and go to be with Jesus.

Listen to the words of Paul:

"For we know that when this earthly tent we live in is taken down (that is, when we die and leave this earthly body), we will have a house in heaven, an eternal body made for us by God himself and not by human hands.  We grow weary in our present bodies, and we long to put on our heavenly bodies like new clothing.  For we will put on heavenly bodies; we will not be spirits without bodies.  While we live in these earthly bodies, we groan and sigh, but it's not that we want to die and get rid of these bodies that clothe us.  Rather, we want to put on our new bodies so that these dying bodies will be swallowed up by life.  God himself has prepared us for this, and as a guarantee he has given us his Holy Spirit." (2 Corinthians 5:1-5, NLT)


I love the imagery of putting on the new body like clothing – and I think of the concept of literally putting on new skin!

Yes, for the time being, my body and my skin ages, and needs a lot more attention than it used to.

And yes, there are days when I groan inside of it.

But these sufferings are only temporary, for there is a day coming when my perishable will put on imperishable, and I will live forever!

Can you even imagine?!


The freedom!

The rejuvenation!

The energy!

The glory!


Yes, in so many ways, this life is only *skin deep*...




What reminds you that this life is only temporary?

Walking home...

"He remembered that they were but flesh, a wind that passes and comes not again." (Psalm 78:39, ESV)

"How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow?  Your life is like the morning fog – it's here a little while, then it's gone." (James 4:14, NLT)

"All go to the same place; all come from dust, and to dust all return." (Ecclesiastes 3:20, NIV)

"All these people died still believing what God had promised them.  They did not receive what was promised, but they saw it all from a distance and welcomed it.  They agreed that they were foreigners and nomads here on earth." (Hebrews 11:13, NLT)

"But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us." (2 Corinthians  4:7, ESV)

"Yes, we are fully confident, and we would rather be away from these earthly bodies, for then we will be at home with the Lord." (2 Corinthians 5:8, NLT)

"So is it with the resurrection of the dead.  What is sown is perishable; what is raised is imperishable.  It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory.  It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power.  It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body.  If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body." 
(1 Corinthians 15:42-44, ESV)

"For the trumpet will sound…and we shall be changed.  For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality. When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written:

'Death is swallowed up in victory.
O death, where is your victory?
O death, where is your sting?'"

(1 Corinthians 15:52-55, ESV)


"He will give eternal life to those who keep on doing good, seeking after the glory and honor and immortality that God offers." (Romans 2:7, NLT)

"For God so greatly loved and dearly prized the world that He [even] gave up His only begotten (unique) Son [as Savior], so that whoever believes in (trusts in, clings to, relies on) Him shall not perish (come to destruction, be lost) but have eternal (everlasting) life." (John 3:16, AMP)

"Jesus said…'I am the resurrection and the life.  The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die.'" (John 11:25-26, NIV)

"'And this is the will of God, that I should not lose even one of all those he has given me, but that I should raise them up at the last day.'" (John 6:39, NLT)

"…as for me, God will redeem my life.  He will snatch me from the power of the grave." (Psalm 49:15, NLT)

"For you have delivered my soul from death…that I may walk before God in the light of life." (Psalm 56:13, ESV)

"My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better." 
(Philippians 1:23, ESV)

"I know that my redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand on the earth. And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God; I myself will see him with my own eyes – I, and not another.  How my heart yearns within me!" (Job 19:25-27, NIV)

"I shall walk before the LORD In the land of the living." (Psalm 116:19, NASB)




Linked with:

SMALL WONDER, MONDAY'S MUSINGS, MONDAYS AT SOUL SURVIVAL, LIFE GIVING LINKUP, GOOD MORNING MONDAYS, MONDAY OF MANY BLESSINGS, THANK GOODNESS IT'S MONDAY, THE ART OF HOMEMAKING MONDAYS, MAKING YOUR HOME SING MONDAY, MUSING MONDAY, MODEST MONDAY, MOTIVATION MONDAY, INSPIRE ME MONDAY, LIVING PROVERBS, MOM-TO-MOM MONDAYS, MOMENTS OF HOPE, GLIMPSES LINKUP, TELL ME A TRUE STORY, WONDERFUL WEDNESDAY,  TITUS 2 TUESDAY, TESTIMONY TUESDAY, TUESDAY TALK, RA RA LINKUP, TEACHING WHAT IS GOOD, INTENTIONAL TUESDAY, WISE WOMAN, TELL HIS STORY, WHOLEHEARTED WEDNESDAY, CHRISTIAN BLOGGER COMMUNITY, WORD FILLED WEDNESDAY, COFFEE FOR YOUR HEART, COFFEE & CONVERSATION, WOMEN WITH INTENTION, SITTING AMONG FRIENDS, FROM MESSES TO MESSAGES, GRACE MOMENTS, THANKFUL THURSDAYS, LIVE FREE THURSDAY, THURSDAY FAVORITE THINGS, SHINE BLOG HOP, THOUGHT-PROVOKING THURSDAY, THOUGHTFUL THURSDAYS, GRACE AT HOME, LITTLE THINGS THURSDAY, COZY READING SPOT, NO RULES WEEKEND BLOG PARTY, FROM HOUSE TO HOME, FUNTASTIC FRIDAY, FRIENDSHIP FRIDAY, EVERYDAY TESTIMONY, FAITH FILLED FRIDAY, SPIRITUAL SUNDAYS, FAITH 'N FRIENDS, MAKE MY SATURDAY, GRACE & TRUTH, DANCE WITH JESUS, FRIDAY FEATURE PARTY, TGI SATURDAYS, SMALL VICTORIES SUNDAY, WORD OF GOD SPEAK




BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"

CHATTING WITH GOD

Friends, I am at a loss for words this week.

So, I am re-sharing something that I wrote over four years ago in a weekly feature called, "Saturday Stroll."  

It speaks to the trials that have entered my life as of late, and I hope that it has meaning for all who read it.  (I know that I needed to read it again...)


Welcome to "SATURDAY STROLL!"

In these posts I will be interacting with Scripture – making it a conversational walk of faith.

God and I speaking...

So put on your walking shoes – you know we can all use the exercise!



(Words and thoughts taken from Job 23, Zechariah 13, Psalm 139, and Job 42 - NASB and NLT translations)



A DIALOGUE FOR TIMES OF TESTING


I'm afraid my complaint is rebellion.  But it is still a bitter one.  Not that I'm bitter, Lord.  I'm not resentful (maybe a little) – but life is a bitter pill to swallow – difficult to accept, often unpleasant.

I try hard not to groan aloud.

But Your hand is heavy despite my groaning.

Why, Lord?

I just don't get it.  It is so hard to understand You when life is difficult – when I have turmoil – when loved ones are suffering – and circumstances are impossible.

Oh, if only I knew where to find You, where You might be.  If I knew that, I might come to Your seat!

Yes, I would go to Your court.

I would present my case before You, laying it all out.  

And I would fill my mouth with my arguments.

Then I would listen to Your reply.  I would learn the words that You would answer, and perceive and understand what You say to me.

Would You contend with me?

Would You use Your great power to argue with me?

No, surely You would pay attention to me.  Surely You would give me a fair hearing…

…wouldn't You?


So, I search for You.

I go forward, but You are not there.  I go east, You are not there.  I move backward, but I cannot perceive You.  I go west, but I cannot find You.

When You act on the left, I cannot behold You.  I do not see You in the north, for You are hidden.  When You turn on the right, I cannot see You.  I look to the south, but You are concealed.


Where are You, Lord?

Why are You silent when I need You?

Why are You hidden when I need You?

Why do I feel so alone…when I NEED You?


But I am consoled and comforted and strengthened by this one Truth.

You know the way I take.  You know where I am going.  And when You have tried me, tested me, I will come forth as gold – pure and unblemished.

For I have stayed on Your paths.  

I have held fast and followed You.  

I have not turned aside.

I have not departed from the commands of Your lips.  I have treasured the words of Your mouth more than my necessary food.


But You are unique.

And You're a little (a lot) scary, Lord.

Once You've made a decision, who can change Your mind?  What Your soul desires, whatever You want to do, that is what You do.

I know that you will do to me whatever You have planned.  You will perform that which is appointed for me.

You control my destiny.

I guess my heart struggles with Your sovereignty, Lord.

And sometimes I am just so scared, and hurt, and despairing.

Darkness is all around me – thick, impenetrable darkness is everywhere.

Deep gloom covers me.


But I am not silenced by the darkness.

NOR AM I.

Lord, is that You?!

I will bring you through the fire and make you pure.  I will refine you like silver and purify you like gold.  When you call on Me, I will answer. 

I will say...

"This is My child."

Will you trust Me?


Oh Lord, I had only heard about You before, but now I have seen You with my very own eyes.

You are the LORD, my God.


I AM.




Have you had a conversation with God lately?

Bent but not broken...

...still reaching for the Son. 

"You have been my God from the moment I was born.

Do not stay so far from me,

for trouble is near,

and no one else can help me.

My enemies surround me...

Like lions they open their jaws against me,

roaring and tearing into their prey.

My life is poured out like water,

and all my bones are out of joint.

My heart is like wax,

melting within me.

My strength has dried up like sunbaked clay.

My tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth.

You have laid me in the dust and left me for dead.

My enemies surround me like a pack of dogs;

an evil gang closes in on me...

I can count all my bones.

My enemies stare at me and gloat...

O LORD, do not stay far away!

You are my strength; come quickly to my aid!

Save me..."

(Psalm 22:10-17, 19-20, NLT)

"Then I realized that my heart was bitter,

and I was all torn up inside.

I was so foolish and ignorant –

I must have seemed like a senseless animal to you.

Yet I still belong to you;

you hold my right hand.

You guide me with your counsel,

leading me to a glorious destiny.

Whom have I in heaven but you?

I desire you more than anything on earth.

My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak,

but God remains the strength of my heart;

he is mine forever."

(Psalm 73:21-26, NLT)

Linked with:

SMALL WONDER, MONDAY'S MUSINGS, MONDAYS AT SOUL SURVIVAL, LIFE GIVING LINKUP, GOOD MORNING MONDAYS, MONDAY OF MANY BLESSINGS, THANK GOODNESS IT'S MONDAY, THE ART OF HOMEMAKING MONDAYS, MAKING YOUR HOME SING MONDAY, MUSING MONDAYS, MODEST MONDAY, MOTIVATION MONDAY, INSPIRE ME MONDAY, LIVING PROVERBS, MOM-TO-MOM MONDAYS, MOMENTS OF HOPE, TELL ME A TRUE STORY, UNITE LINKUP, WONDERFUL WEDNESDAY, TITUS 2 TUESDAY, TESTIMONY TUESDAY, TUESDAY TALK, TELL IT TO ME TUESDAYS, RA RA LINKUP, TEACHING WHAT IS GOOD, TELL HIS STORY, THE HOMEMAKING PARTY, WHOLEHEARTED WEDNESDAY, A LITTLE R & R WEDNESDAYS, WORD FILLED WEDNESDAY, THREE WORD WEDNESDAY, COFFEE FOR YOUR HEART, COFFEE & CONVERSATION, WOMEN WITH INTENTION, SITTING AMONG FRIENDS, WEDDED WEDNESDAY, THE LOFT LINKUP, GRACE MOMENTS, GRACE MOMENTS, GROWING IN GRACE, THANKFUL THURSDAYS, THURSDAY FAVORITE THINGS, LIVE FREE THURSDAY, PARTY AT MY PLACE, SHINE LINKUP, THOUGHT-PROVOKING THURSDAY, FROM HOUSE TO HOME, GRACE AT HOME, THANKFUL THURSDAYS, LITTLE THINGS THURSDAY, COZY READING SPOT, NO RULES WEEKEND BLOG PARTY, FUNTASTIC FRIDAY, BLOGGER SPOTLIGHT PARTY, FRIENDSHIP FRIDAY, EVERYDAY TESTIMONY, FAITH FILLED FRIDAY, FAITH 'N FRIENDS, GRACE & TRUTH, DANCE WITH JESUS, TGI SATURDAYS, FAMILY, FRIENDSHIP & FAITH, FRIDAY FEATURE PARTY, WEEKEND WIND DOWN PARTY, WORD OF GOD SPEAK, LET US GROW, 




BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"

WINTER ROADBLOCK

Excitement on the mountain!

Almost two feet of snow!

Millions come to play!

Traffic is a madhouse!

And oh yeah, a giant 18-foot boulder falls on the highway, completely blocking traffic both ways.

Highway reopening – undetermined!

Yes, a week ago Sunday – (thankfully in the middle of the night) – a giant rock tumbled down the hillside onto the highway.

And everything stopped…

Fortunately, our way into and out of town was not affected.

But many people in a smaller town up the road are completely blocked off.

Which is a very big inconvenience.  

You see, there are only three ways in and out of our little mountain town.

And this *rockin' roadblock* has temporarily eliminated one.  People have had to drive long distances to go up and down the hill, and this adds major amounts of time to their work commutes, school bus routes, and access to grocery stores, etc.

Mountain living does have its challenges.

Like fallen trees, flooded roads, and frozen pipes.  (Or 60-hour power outages that DID affect us!)

All of it makes me feel like a bit of a pioneer.

What's next?

Chopping down trees for firewood, shoeing horses, raising cattle, churning butter?!

(Which "The Hub" would love!!  Me, not so much...)

But, truthfully, I still find myself complaining when inconvenience lands on my doorstep.


It's funny how we human creatures get so used to things a certain way. Our little routines get so ingrained.  And we get accustomed to having things work.

Reliability is something we really take for granted.

I think we get even more entrenched in our comfort zones the older we get.

(I'll let you know when I get older…!)

We depend on being able to depend on things.

But, alas, into life some boulders must fall – and then what happens?

Seems to me like we either panic, get discouraged, or rise to the occasion.

Nervous Nellie panics.

Negative Nora gets discouraged.

Learning-How-To-Be-Grateful Sharon wants to rise to the occasion.


Life is an interesting journey – full of ups and downs.  

Sometimes our road is smooth going, straight and predictable.  Sometimes it's littered with gravel and pebbles, and we need to maneuver a little more carefully.

But sometimes God allows big 'ol boulders to crash into the road.

And we are stopped in our tracks.

Oh, the challenges of that!


One of my favorite characters in the Bible is Job.

I relate to him in so many ways, don't you?

Job had a wonderful life – this is how the Bible describes it:

"There was a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job…Seven sons and three daughters were born to him.  He also possessed 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 500 yoke (pairs) of oxen, 500 female donkeys, and a very great number of servants, so that this man was the greatest [and wealthiest and most respected] of all the men of the east (northern Arabia)." (From Job 1, AMP)


Job's life was wonderful on many fronts.

He had a sterling reputation, a large and close family, and he was financially well-off!

Job possessed four things that bring security – fame, family, financial freedom, and physical fitness.

His road was smooth and straight.

Then the story continues:

"Now there was a day…"

Isn't that how life happens?

Things are going along just fine, thank you, and then…a day comes along.

A *one-of-those-kinds-of-days* day.

Like a boulder in the middle of the night.

Job lost everything.

I know this story is familiar to all of us.  But have you ever stopped and personalized it?  Actually imagined losing all your possessions, all your children, all your money? 

In one fell swoop?

Devastating.

And then, as God continues to allow Job's testing, he also loses his health.

He was struck down with "loathsome boils and agonizingly painful sores from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head."

We all know how good physical health can be jeopardized, compromised, or stolen suddenly and without warning.

Finally, Job loses his reputation.

His friends accuse him, wrongfully, of sin.  

And their "helpful" advice does nothing to encourage Job or lift his spirits.

Even his wife throws him under the bus.

She tells him to curse God and die.

(Honestly, with friends and a spouse like that, who needs enemies??)

By the end of Chapter Two, we find Job sitting among the ashes, in a rubbish heap, scratching himself with a discarded piece of broken pottery.

Talk about a boulder in the road…

But Job remains true to God, and God remains true to him.

It's a good lesson for me, for all of us, to ponder.


Last week, I read this in my daily devotional:

"I will make You the basis of my trust, Lord.  I will accept Your demolition of my security, even though it is painful." (Daily Walk with the King, by W. Glyn Evans, c. 1979, Moody Publishers)

I just can't stop thinking about that phrase:

"…demolition of my security…"

The systematic dismantling of all that I find security in – fame, family, financial freedom, or physical fitness – a purposeful laying aside of anything else but Him.

Yes, Lord, I will accept the gravel and pebbles, the twisting and turning of the straight road.

I will even learn, with Your strength and grace, to rise to the occasion when a boulder falls in my path.

I will look past the obstruction toward the construction of Your work in my life.

For the end result is this, in the words of Job:

"I know that you can do anything,
    and no one can stop you.
You asked, 'Who is this that questions my wisdom with such ignorance?'
It is I – and I was talking about things I knew nothing about,
    things far too wonderful for me…
I had only heard about you before,
    but now I have seen you with my own eyes."


Yes, Lord, I would see You.

Sticks and stones
may break my bones,
And boulders
may try to hurt me...
But standing firm
upon The Rock,
All is just
as it should be. 

***REMEMBER to check out DAILY GRATEFUL THOUGHTS here***
  
(Updated DAILY GRATEFUL WORDS, A WORD FROM THE WORD, A "MESSAGE" FROM GOD, and FOOD FOR THOUGHT can be found on the sidebar.  Thank you!)

  

"Those who run after other gods will suffer more and more." (Psalm 16:4, NIV)

"Do not love the world or anything in the world.  If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.  For all that is in the world – the desires of the flesh, the desires of the eyes, and the pride of life – is not from the Father but from the world.  The world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God remains forever." (1 John 2:15-17, Berean Bible)

"Those who use the things of the world should not become attached to them. For this world as we know it will soon pass away." (1 Corinthians 7:31, NLT)

"Do not weary yourself to gain wealth, cease from your consideration of it. When you set your eyes on it, it is gone." (Proverbs 23:4-5, NASB)

"As for the rich in this present world, instruct them not to be conceited and arrogant, nor to set their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly and ceaselessly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.  Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous, willing to share [with others].   In this way storing up for themselves the enduring riches of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life." (1 Timothy 6:17-19, AMP)

"For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." 
(Matthew 6:21, KJV)

"'No one can serve two masters.  For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other.  You cannot serve both God and money.  That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life – whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear.  Isn't life more...? Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?...Why do you have so little faith?...So don't worry about these things…These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs.  Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.'" (Matthew 6:24-25, 28, 30, 31-35, NLT)

"Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus." (1 Thessalonians 5:18, NLT)

"And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ." (Ephesians 5:20, NLT)

"I will bless the LORD at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth." (Psalm 34:1, ESV)

"We put our hope in the LORD.  He is our help and our shield.  In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name.  Let your unfailing love surround us, LORD, for our hope is in you alone." (Psalm 33:20-22, NLT)

"[For] we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them." (Romans 8:28, NLT)

"Who shall ever separate us from the love of Christ?  Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword…Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors and gain an overwhelming victory through Him who loved us [so much that He died for us].  For I am convinced [and continue to be convinced – beyond any doubt] that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present and threatening, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the [unlimited] love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 8:35, 37-39, AMP)




When the boulders of life fall onto your path, what are you depending on?



Linked with:

SHARING HIS BEAUTY, PLAYDATES WITH GOD, MONDAY'S MUSINGS, MONDAYS AT SOUL SURVIVAL, LIFE GIVING LINKUP, GOOD MORNING MONDAYS, GRATEFUL HEART MONDAY, THE ART OF HOMEMAKING MONDAYS, INSPIRE ME MONDAY, SMALL WONDER, TELL ME A TRUE STORY, TITUS 2 TUESDAY, UNITE LINKUP, TESTIMONY TUESDAY, TUESDAY TALK, TELL IT TO ME TUESDAYS, RA RA LINKUP, TEACHING WHAT IS GOOD, INTENTIONAL TUESDAY, WISE WOMAN, TELL HIS STORY, WHOLEHEARTED WEDNESDAY, A LITTLE R & R WEDNESDAYS, WORD FILLED WEDNESDAY, THREE WORD WEDNESDAY, COFFEE FOR YOUR HEART, COFFEE & CONVERSATION, WOMEN WITH INTENTION, WAITING ON WEDNESDAY, SITTING AMONG FRIENDS, THURSDAY FAVORITE THINGS, LIVE FREE THURSDAY, THOUGHT-PROVOKING THURSDAY, GRACE AT HOME, SHINE BLOG HOP, THOUGHTFUL THURSDAYS, FROM HOUSE TO HOME, LITTLE THINGS THURSDAY, COZY READING SPOT, FRIENDSHIP FRIDAY, EVERYDAY TESTIMONY, FAITH FILLED FRIDAY, SPIRITUAL SUNDAYS, FAITH 'N FRIENDS, MAKE MY SATURDAY SWEET, GRACE & TRUTH, DANCE WITH JESUS, ESSENTIAL FRIDAYS, NO RULES BLOG PARTY, COFFEE SHOP CONVERSATIONS, TGI SATURDAYS, WEEKEND WHISPERS, SMALL VICTORIES SUNDAY, WORD OF GOD SPEAK, GIVE ME GRACE, SOCIAL BUTTERFLY SUNDAY, INSPIRE ME MONDAY




BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"

I'M WEARING DOWN

OK, so…

Do you think that I'm talking about being worn out, run down, overly tired?

Well, if you are – GOTCHA!

I'm talking about something else entirely, but you're gonna have to keep reading to find out what!  (I know, kinda unfair – but I love a captive audience…)


Winter has hit our mountains!

Cold, cold temperatures.

How cold?  Well, think about daytime highs around 30.  Now, before my Midwest or Eastern visitors scoff at these balmy temperatures (you Polar Vortex survivors, you) – you gotta remember something.  I am a Southern California girl who's lived here all of her life – and I've lived rather close to the beach.

So, I am used to wearing shorts and flip-flops during the winter on occasion.  I am used to high 80's, low 90's heat-waves in January.  I have been known to go to the beach and get a sunburn before March.  A winter coat for me might be a sweater.

From my perspective, mountain California is COLD!

And therefore arises a problem.

How to keep warm?

A challenge indeed.

Propane is very expensive – and it's the only way that forced heating works up here.  Gone are the days of relatively inexpensive natural gas heating.  (I actually miss my old Gas Company bill…).  And so, "The Hub" and I have tried to find the most cost-effective ways to keep warm.

We're getting better at it.  It's our third winter up here, after all.

Last year, we heard horror stories about propane bills that cost more than a small mortgage (hyperbole…).  So, we didn't want to use our central heating too much.

We tried a space heater one month.  Big mistake.  As in HUGE big mistake. As in, $$$ mistake!

Yes, we keep a fire going all day.  But that can add to another bill – the electric bill.  Why?  Because we have this firebox thing – it's not really a fireplace.  Let me explain.  Our firebox has glass doors on it.  So, we put the logs into the firebox, light the logs, and then close the doors.

After awhile, when the temperature rises to a certain degree of heat, an automatic fan goes on which then blows out the heated air through a decorative brass grate.  Nice, but the fan always remains on (using up electricity).

Oh sure, we tried leaving the doors open.  But, for some reason, a firebox doesn't quite work like a fireplace.  Can you say – smoke inhalation?  I knew you could.  So, the doors must remain shut.

Sure, we might replace it someday with a good old-fashioned rock fireplace.  Sometime when we have a few spare thousand dollars lying around.  Maybe after we pay the electric bill – or have the propane tank filled up.

Therefore, in an effort to maintain warmth, and while also trying to be frugal, we have come up with other solutions.

Last winter, we bought an electric blanket, just to take the chill off the sheets before bedtime.

And, we curl up in blankets, and bundle up in warm clothing.

Like my down jacket.

Now do you get it??  I'm wearing "down" – HA!  (Punsters join in with a united groan…)

Yup, wearing my down jacket inside the house might sound foolish to you guys.  But I kinda like it.  Especially on those days when I'm just reading or writing.

Like now.


So, what's my spiritual lesson in this?

Well, first of all, that it's cold outside!

This tired old broken world can be pretty stark sometimes.  Unfriendly, hostile, daunting.  The natural elements themselves can be hard to manage. But sometimes the coldness of people is even worse.

And you know that empty, lonely, hopeless place that our hearts can go to.

We can find ourselves freezing in the separation from that warm fuzzy feeling that we all long for.

Many people turn to many things to fill that cold hole – other people, other pleasures, other places – and sometimes those choices can be very expensive to the soul.

God doesn't want us turning to anything else besides Himself.

But God does understand how we feel.

After all, He made us in His image – and His image is all about connection, intimacy, love.

And, I'm thinking that He's actually given us a pretty good *down jacket* in the form of the Holy Spirit.

The actual Presence of Himself wrapping His arms around us, warming us with His comfort, enveloping us in His peace.


Baby, it might be cold outside – but I am not.

I'm wearing *down*…

…and looking UP!

Button up your overcoat
When the wind is free,
Take good care of yourself
You belong to
Me.

- GOD -

"You have fixed all the boundaries of the earth; you have made summer and winter." (Psalm 74:17, ESV)

"God thunders wondrously with his voice; he does great things that we cannot comprehend.  For to the snow he says, 'Fall on the earth,' likewise to the downpour, his mighty downpour...From its chamber comes the whirlwind, and cold from the scattering winds.  By the breath of God ice is given, and the broad waters are frozen fast....stop and consider the wondrous works of God...God is clothed with awesome majesty.  The Almighty...he is great in power..." (Job 37:5-6, 9-10, 14, 22, 23, ESV)

"See!  The winter is past; the rains are over and gone.  Flowers appear on the earth; the season of singing has come..." (Song of Solomon 2:11-12, NIV)

"Let my teaching fall on you like rain; let my speech settle like dew.  Let my words fall like rain on tender grass, like gentle showers on young plants."(Deuteronomy 32:2, NLT)

"'For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD.  For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.  For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.  For you shall go out in joy and be led forth in peace...'" (Isaiah 55:8-12, ESV)

"Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest is a faithful messenger to those who send him; he refreshes the soul of his masters." (Proverbs 25:13, ESV)



What keeps your faith *warm* in the cold and wintry seasons of life?



Linked with:

SHARING HIS BEAUTY, SMALL WONDER, MONDAY'S MUSINGS, GOOD MORNING MONDAYS, MONDAYS AT SOUL SURVIVAL, MAKE A DIFFERENCE MONDAYS, TELL ME A TRUE STORY, SOLI DEO GLORIA, UNITE, TITUS 2 TUESDAYS, TESTIMONY TUESDAY, TUESDAY TALK, A LITTLE R & R WEDNESDAYS, TELL HIS STORY, CAPTURE YOUR JOURNEY, TEACHING WHAT IS GOOD, WISE WOMAN, COFFEE & CONVERSATION, SO MUCH AT HOME, WHOLEHEARTED WEDNESDAYS, WORD FILLED WEDNESDAY, THREE WORD WEDNESDAY, COFFEE FOR YOUR HEART, THOUGHT-PROVOKING THURSDAY, EVERYDAY JESUS, HEARTS FOR HOME, GRACE AT HOME, LITTLE THINGS THURSDAYS, THOUGHTFUL THURSDAYS, SHINE, BELOVED BREWS, LIGHT FRIDAY HIT LIST, FRIENDSHIP FRIDAY, FELLOWSHIP FRIDAYS, FAITH FILLED FRIDAY, FAITH & FELLOWSHIP, A GROUP LOOK, FELLOWSHIP FRIDAY, SPIRITUAL SUNDAYS, COUNTING MY BLESSINGS, SATURDAY SOIREE, STILL SATURDAY, WEEKEND BREW, GIVE ME GRACE, SUNDAY STILLNESS



BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"

I MISS YOU, DAD

This week I will mark the one-year anniversary of my father's passing.

What a year.

It's interesting to me how God works.  How sometimes He prepares your heart for something in such a tangible way.  Sometime during 2012, I had a strong sense that Dad's days were numbered.

In some ways, it wasn't a huge revelation.  Dad was completely bent over, so thin and feeble.  And his mind was rapidly receding into a faraway place.  He'd had a couple of mini-strokes in the previous years, and his diabetes was taking its toll.

But still...

He was DAD.

He'd always been a large figure in my life.  Literally, at 6'3" and around 230 lbs., he was a LARGE figure!  I can remember how some of my friends were intimidated by him.

One funny story?

My dad's mother and father loved to travel.  And they brought home gifts. One year, they gave my dad a black silk robe.

Flash forward to one night when a couple of guys thought it would be "great fun" to drive up our steep driveway, ring our doorbell, and peal out.  Well, they drove up our driveway, skidded into a planter, and tore up quite a few plants that You-Know-Who had planted (Dad!)

The car's tires got stuck in the mud – spinning out of control with no traction.

Suddenly, Mr. Martial Arts himself flung open the front door!

At the same time, the car found ground, and backed up at 1,000 mph, sped down the driveway, and drag-raced down the street and out of sight.

Dad stormed out the front door and waved his fist at the departing hooligans.

Dad asked, but I never 'fessed up to who they were.

A few days later, one of the guys, a good friend, told me how very, very scared they had been!  I think they thought that Dad had earned his black belt!!  


I digress.

But this is just one of many stories when Dad's literal physical presence was such a comfort to me, such a steady source of security.  And it serves to convey how very difficult it was to see this Ivy League college graduate (who exempted all his finals), successful small business owner, one-time elder in the church, all-around BIG guy deteriorate.

And yet, as I look back, I think God was doing a merciful preparation in my heart.  I knew Dad was going…and soon.


A year ago, my dad took a terrible tumble out of bed.  

I was down visiting my parents, but somewhere else at the time.  And this day, my youngest son *just happened* to be working downstairs on a project in my dad's workshop.

I got a call from him.

"Mom, you'd better come here.  Papa fell out of bed and he's hurt really bad."

Well, yes.  He was.  Very bad.

I remember calling 911.  I remember the wailing sound of the ambulance in the distance.  I remember the unsettling and rather creepy feeling of knowing that it was coming for us.  I remember riding over to the hospital in the front seat of the ambulance.  I remember hearing Dad crying out in pain in the back.

I spent every day with him during his week in the hospital.

I went and saw him at the nursing/rehab place he was transferred to.

I got called late one night to come over.  My dad was thrashing and yelling and trying to get out of bed.  They thought that I might be able to console him.

I dashed over, settled him down, and rubbed his forehead and eyebrows until he went back to sleep.

Little did I know that these would be my last moments with him.


I was awakened at around 3:45 AM just a day and a half later, with these words:

"Is this Sharon, Mr. N's daughter?"

"Yes."

"I'm sorry, but he passed away."

The rest of the words are blurry.

I remember calling everyone in the family, waiting as everyone arrived at my parents' house.  Talking as we waited for my mother to wake up to break the news to her.  Her surprise at seeing all of us.  Me walking her back into her room to change out of her nightgown.

Watching her face begin to sense the truth.  

Hearing her words:

"Everyone's here.  That's nice.  Wait, did something happen to Dad?  Did he die?"

"Yes, Mom, he did.  It's going to be OK."

I held her.


These are just snippets from that time.  A time that came as a shock, but not a surprise.  You see, I feel that God had prepared me.  And when the moment finally arrived, I was upheld with a strength that could only have come from Him.

This week will mark the one-year anniversary of the day that my dad died. And yet, it really marks the day when he entered the presence of our Lord.

One year later, that makes all the difference!


I miss you, Dad, and I always will, until we meet again.


My poem for you, today.


I MISS YOU, DAD

Through life and death, I have seen it all
From the joy of celebration to the gray of death's pall,
And when the time came to say goodbye
There were moments when I wished that I could die.

For pain wounded sharp, with slashing blows
Bringing times when my hope was dashed so low,
Moments when the ache in my heart burned deep
Moments when the grief kept me from sleep.

But now a year later, I pause to recall
That your death wasn't death, not really at all,
For on that day when you left us behind
In truth our dear Lord was just being kind.

For He released you from the shell of decay
He brought you to Him on your homecoming day,
And though I will miss you every day that I live
I know there is a future that God has to give.

We will see each other once again I know
When in the Light of Heaven our faces glow,
And I will have joy, just as you do now
No more furrows will wrinkle my brow.

Freed by grace, enwrapped in love
One day I will join you in the sky above,
And then all my sorrow will fade and cease
For I will experience the depth of God's peace.

So until that day, Dad, I will hold you dear
And fight the battle against the power of fear,
For I know that there is something more to death
Than just the mere ending of earthly breath.

There is wonder when we reach Heaven's door
A beginning, a new start, and oh so much more,
For reality begins when we leave this land
Reality begins when God takes our hand.

Through life and death, I have seen it all
From the joy of celebration to the gray of death's pall,
But even though I've had to say goodbye
I know that truly, we will never die!


© Sharon Kirby
December 31, 2014

Do not grieve,
my dearest daughter.
We will meet
again! 

"My purpose in writing is simply this: that you who believe in God's Son will know beyond the shadow of a doubt that you have eternal life, the reality and not the illusion." (1 John 5:13, The Message)

"...in fact, Christ has been raised from the dead.  He is the first of a great harvest of all who have died...now the resurrection from the dead has begun through another man...everyone who belongs to Christ will be given new life." (1 Corinthians 15:20, 21, 22, NLT)

"And now, dear brothers and sisters, we want you to know what will happen to the believers who have died so you will not grieve like people who have no hope.  For since we believe that Jesus died and was raised to life again, we also believe that when Jesus returns, God will bring back with him the believers who have died." (1 Thessalonians 4:13-14, NLT)

"And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, 'Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man.  He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God.  He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.'  And he who was seated on the throne said, 'Behold, I am making all things new.'" (Revelation 21:3-5, ESV)


Here's the Truth that serves as the beginning and the end, the *bookends* of our HOPE:

"Jesus said, 'It is finished.'" (John 19:30, NIV)

"'It is done!  I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end.'" (Revelation 21:6)



How does the hope of Heaven bring peace to you today?



Linked with:

SHARING HIS BEAUTY, PLAYDATES WITH GOD, UNFORCED RHYTHMS, MONDAY'S MUSINGS, MONDAYS AT SOUL SURVIVAL, MAKE A DIFFERENCE MONDAY, GOOD MORNING MONDAYS, SOLI DEO GLORIA, TELL ME A TRUE STORY, TITUS 2 TUESDAYS, TESTIMONY TUESDAY, TUESDAY TALK, UNITE, A LITTLE R & R WEDNESDAYS, WHOLEHEARTED WEDNESDAYS, CAPTURE YOUR JOURNEY, TEACHING WHAT IS GOOD, THREE WORD WEDNESDAY, COFFEE FOR YOUR HEART, TELL HIS STORY, WISE WOMAN, COFFEE AND CONVERSATION, SO MUCH AT HOME, WORD FILLED WEDNESDAY, THOUGHT-PROVOKING THURSDAY, LITTLE THINGS THURSDAY, EVERYDAY JESUS, HEARTS FOR HOME, GRACE AT HOME, SHINE, THRIVING THURSDAY, THOUGHTFUL THURSDAYS, FRIENDSHIP FRIDAY, MISSIONAL WEEKEND, FELLOWSHIP FRIDAYS, FELLOWSHIP FRIDAY, SPIRITUAL SUNDAYS, FAITH FILLED FRIDAY, COUNTING MY BLESSINGS, MAKE MY SATURDAY SWEET, FAITH & FELLOWSHIP, A GROUP LOOK, GRACE & TRUTH, STILL SATURDAY, SATURDAY SOIREE, WEEKEND BREW, RECOMMENDATION SATURDAY, SUNDAY STILLNESS, GIVE ME GRACE



BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"