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:

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BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"

THIS ISN'T NECESSARY

Tinkering.

Sometimes I think that's all I try to do with my life…

Fix things.

And sometimes I think that this is all that happens when I tinker…

Nothing.

The definition of the word "tinker" is this: to busy oneself with a thing without useful results.

(The origin of the word comes from "tinker" = "a mender of kettles, pots, pans, etc."  The word originated in the mid-13th century as a surname.  Some connect the word with the sound made by light hammering on metal.  The verb meaning,"to keep busy in a useless way," is first found in the 1650's.) 


It seems to me that there's just something about human nature that is driven to tinker.  

It's like we feel a compulsion to contribute our *two cents* to conversations and to *offer advice* (meddle??) in relationships.  To *tweak* (manipulate??) situations.  Not to mention how much time we spend changing our wardrobes, changing our looks, changing our homes, changing our diets, changing our exercise routine…

Seems like we're always seeking to alter and modify – to revise, rework, and remodel.

Why do we do this?

I think it's because we're endlessly trying to make life feel right, and comfortable, and easy.

But, by its very definition, tinkering is futile and pointless work.

For, more often than not, our efforts are fruitless, accomplishing nothing of any significance or lasting impact.

And when I think about fruitless labor, I always think about Sarah Winchester.


Years ago, my sons and I took a most interesting tour at a place called The Winchester Mystery House in San Jose, California.

Here's the backstory:

The house was built by Sarah Winchester, the widow of William Winchester, of the family that manufactured the Winchester repeating rifle.  Life was good for a while, but then disaster struck.  In 1866, her infant daughter, Annie, died, followed 15 years later by the death of her husband.  Mrs. Winchester fell into a deep depression from which she never fully recovered.  Legend has it that she ultimately sought help from a spiritualist.

According to some sources, the spiritualist explained that she was being haunted by the spirits of people killed by Winchester rifles.  Supposedly the spirits caused the tragic deaths of her daughter and husband, and she could be their next victim.

Mrs. Winchester was told to move west, and in an effort to appease the spirits, she was exhorted to build a grand house for them.  As long as construction on the house never ceased, Mrs. Winchester’s life would not be in danger, and perhaps she would even ensure herself eternal life.

Over the next 38 years, 24 hours a day, construction never stopped.   At the time of her death in 1922, the unfinished farmhouse she bought in 1884 had spread over six acres.  The sprawling mansion contained 160 rooms, 2,000 doors, 10,000 windows, 47 stairways, 47 fireplaces, 17 chimneys, 13 bathrooms, 6 kitchens, two basements – with many false doors, confusing passageways, up-and-down staircases, secret rooms, peepholes, and dead-ends.

After all that, Sarah Winchester still died.

The house is fascinating, the story is heartbreaking.


Fruitless labor.

Yes, I've been known to "work" at that, too.

And sometimes, my tinkering just makes things worse.

Ever done that?

Tried to make things better, and everything just blows up in your face?

Now hear me on this, I am not talking about the real work of reconciliation or forgiveness.

This is necessary work, and God commands us to do it.

But, He does not ask us to do HIS work.

That's what I'm talking about – inserting ourselves into situations where God is in control.  (Which, truth be told, is EVERY situation!)

And sometimes, when God is at work, He asks us to wait.

This is when I'm most tempted to insert my proverbial nose into the process.

When things are not proceeding according to my plans and my timetable.  

When life feels wrong and uncomfortable and difficult.

When I think that God could use a little help.

HA!


My grandmother once told me a story about planting some seeds.  

And when they didn't sprout in a *timely fashion*, she dug one up.  Seeing that the seed had changed, she replanted it.  Well, I bet you can guess what happened.

That is the only seed that didn't grow.

Good lesson, huh?!


So what does God want to say to me, to us, about all of this?

These words:

"This isn't necessary."

Our pastor tells the story of a man burdened under a load of heavy sticks. Hunched over, he slowly trudges his way down the road toward home.  Then a truck comes by, with a very friendly driver, and offers him a ride.

He accepts.

But, once in the bed of the truck, the man declines to sit, and continues to be bent over by the weight of his heavy burden, which he refuses to lay down.

Don't we all do this sometimes?

Having accepted the Lord as our Savior, we then revert to behavior that impedes Him from saving us.

We tinker and toil, endlessly trying to *fix* things.

Without useful results, and sometimes making things worse in the process.

And if we're not actively tinkering, we're most likely worrying in fretful fits of futile figuring, trying to work things out.


God speaks…

Gently, insistently, and occasionally a bit forcefully – (I sometimes don't listen well, do you?!)…

"This isn't necessary."

We are not meant to carry life.

We are meant to carry our cares to The Life.

When I looked up the definition of "tinker," it included this sentence in the definition – "Stop tinkering with that clock and take it to the repair shop."

It occurs to me that I should be taking everything to The Watchmaker.

The only One who knows how to repair broken relationships, to mend broken hearts, to restore broken spirits, to fix a broken world.


Might I just paraphrase one of my favorite verses in the Bible?

One that I believe, but have so much trouble following?

"Do not be anxious or worried about anything, and stop trying to fix things. Instead, in everything – and I mean everything! – every circumstance, every situation, every relationship, every financial matter, every illness or health challenge, every decision – by praise and appeal and thanksgiving (don't forget to be thankful!) – continue to make your specific requests known to God.  And then, lay down those burdens, get out of the way, and LET HIM WORK!" (paraphrase of Philippians 4:6)


I don't know about you, but I'm sitting down and unloading those heavy sticks!

I'm tired of carrying burdens that aren't meant to be carried alone.

I'm tired of worrying about situations and circumstances that are firmly in God's control.

I'm tired of shouldering responsibility in a futile effort to fix everything and make everything *work*.

I'm tired of tinkering.

And I'm sure God is tired of my interference!!


May God complete His work – in me, in my life, and in the lives of the ones I love.

May my fruitless labor be transformed into the fruit of the Spirit.


And may I learn to trust Him ever more…

Laying down my tools
and ceasing
from my labors,
I place everything
into the capable hands
of
The Carpenter,
who bids me to come
and rest. 

"Then Jesus said, 'Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you.  Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.'" 
(Matthew 11:28-30, NLT)

"God has told his people, 'Here is a place of rest; let the weary rest here.  This is a place of quiet rest.'" (Isaiah 28:12, NLT)

"'For I will satisfy the weary soul, and every languishing soul I will replenish.'" (Jeremiah 31:25, ESV)

"He gives strength to the weary, and to him who has no might He increases power.  Even youths grow weary and tired, and vigorous young men stumble badly, but those who wait for the Lord [who expect, look for, and hope in Him] will gain new strength and renew their power; they will lift up their wings [and rise up close to God] like eagles [rising toward the sun]; they will run and not become weary, they will walk and not grow tired." (Isaiah 40:29-31, AMP)

"For the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel has said this, 'In returning [to Me] and rest you shall be saved, in quietness and confident trust is your strength.'" (Isaiah 30:15, AMP)

"'So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.'" (Isaiah 41:10, NIV)

"The Sovereign LORD has given me his words of wisdom…Morning by morning he wakens me and opens my understanding to his will." (Isaiah 50:4, NLT)

"A man's mind plans his way [as he journeys through life], but the Lord directs his steps and establishes them." (Proverbs 16:9, AMP)

"Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him, and he will act." 
(Psalm 37:5, ESV)

"Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans." (Proverbs 16:3, NIV)

"Trust in and rely confidently on the Lord with all your heart and do not rely on your own insight or understanding.  In all your ways know and acknowledge and recognize Him, and He will make your paths straight and smooth…" (Proverbs 3:5-6, AMP)

"…[Cast] all your cares [all your anxieties, all your worries, and all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares about you [with deepest affection, and watches over you very carefully]." (1 Peter 5:7, AMP)

"Cast your burden on the Lord [release it] and He will sustain and uphold you; He will never allow the righteous to be shaken (slip, fall, fail)." 
(Psalm 55:22, AMP)

"O my people, trust in him at all times.  Pour out your heart to him, for God is our refuge." (Psalm 62:8, NLT)

"To You, O LORD, I lift up my soul.  O my God, in You I trust, do not let me be ashamed; do not let my enemies exult over me…Make me know Your ways, O LORD; teach me Your paths.  Lead me in Your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; for You I wait all the day." 
(Psalm 25:1-2, 4-5, NASB)

"...your eyes will [constantly] see your Teacher.  Your ears will hear a word behind you, 'This is the way, walk in it,' whenever you turn to the right or to the left." (Isaiah 30:20-21, AMP)

"Teach me your way, O LORD, and lead me…" (Psalms 27:11, ESV)

Are you a tinkering fool?!

Linked with:

SHARING HIS BEAUTY, PLAYDATES WITH GOD, SMALL WONDER, MONDAY'S MUSINGS, MONDAYS AT SOUL SURVIVAL, LIFE GIVING LINKUP, GOOD MORNING MONDAYS, GRATEFUL HEART MONDAY, REFLECT LINKUP, WORDS WITH WINTER, THE ART OF HOMEMAKING MONDAYS, TELL ME A TRUE STORY, TITUS 2 TUESDAY, TELL IT TO ME TUESDAYS, UNITE LINKUP, TESTIMONY TUESDAY, TUESDAY TALK, RA RA LINKUP, TEACHING WHAT IS GOOD, INTENTIONAL TUESDAY, TELL HIS STORY, A LITTLE R & R WEDNESDAYS, WHOLEHEARTED WEDNESDAY, WORD FILLED WEDNESDAY, THREE WORD WEDNESDAY, COFFEE FOR YOUR HEART, WISE WOMAN, COFFEE & CONVERSATION, WOMEN WITH INTENTION, WAITING ON WEDNESDAY, JOYHOPELIVE LINKUP, THE (NOT JUST) HOMEMAKING PARTY, LIVE FREE THURSDAY, THURSDAY FAVORITE THINGS THOUGHT-PROVOKING THURSDAY, EVERYDAY JESUS, GRACE AT HOME, SHINE LINKUP,THOUGHTFUL THURSDAYS, FROM HOUSE TO HOME, LITTLE THINGS THURSDAY, FRIENDSHIP FRIDAY, EVERYDAY TESTIMONY, SPIRITUAL SUNDAYS, FAITH 'N FRIENDS, MAKE MY SATURDAY SWEET, FAITH & FELLOWSHIP, GRACE & TRUTH, DANCE WITH JESUS, FAITH FILLED FRIDAY,TGI SATURDAYS, STILL SATURDAY, SUNDAY STILLNESS, WEEKEND WHISPERS, SMALL VICTORIES SUNDAY, GIVE ME GRACE



BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"

FRANKLY, I'M OVERWHELMED

There.

I said it out loud.

Friends, I have to be honest.

I have literally been undone by the last five weeks of my life.

I can't really go into all the details, but suffice it to say that it's been a seemingly endless parade of trials.  It's been mostly medical stuff, ours and family members – which is always fun when you have to wait for test results, and particularly trying when the results don't come out OK.

No one has received a deadly diagnosis.

And I am very grateful for that.

But there are problems that are going to require further treatment, possible complications, unresolved outcomes, and maybe some sort of surgical intervention.

Personally, "The Hub" and I have made seven trips off the hill just to take care of our own stuff.  (The joys ??? of living in the mountains, far away from easy-access medical care…).  Extended family members have their own issues, and it's much harder for me to bear their difficulties, as I cannot be there to help out.

Let me tell you, I am not good with health matters.

I have a desperate need to understand the scary things in life, and so, I am driven to the Internet in a mad-dash effort to find out information.

Unfortunately, there's a lot of misinformation out there.  And, armchair physicians like me are woefully inept at making accurate diagnoses. Therefore, I find that just about every single symptom has a way of leading to a very serious, usually fatal, disease.

And when I read all the dire stuff, I hop on the *What If Train* of fear and anxiety.  Full-speed ahead, I plunge down the tracks of no return.  

Sidelined, sidetracked, blindsided…


I wish I could say that I then find a way to rise above the circumstances, that I am then washed with supernatural peace, that I then rest in God's perfect assurances that He is in total control…but, that usually doesn't happen.

Usually I become a screaming banshee of a disciple, rushing to the back of the sinking boat, shaking Jesus by the shoulders, and yelling above the winds and waves…

"I'm drowning here!!  Can't you see that?!"

And then I kinda crumple in the bottom of the boat, and wait for Him to calm the storm.  And when the storm isn't calmed, then I just pull a fishing net over my head, close my eyes, and cry.

Sure, I know the Lord's still there.  

But me?  I'm like an overly-cooked steak on the grill.  Stick a fork in me, I'm done.


Have you ever gotten to that point in your life?

Where you just want to give up?

Life seemed a lot simpler when I wasn't following the Lord so closely.  I didn't get the feeling that there was a target on my back.  There certainly weren't so many situations that tested my endurance.

I didn't feel so afraid.

I don't think I failed quite so often…


So, here I am.

And what to do from here?

OK, so the first thing I want to do is admit something to you.

True confession time.

I've been rather desperate for Jesus to give me a tangible sense of His presence.  To tell you the truth, I've been asking Him to show up in my dreams.

And each morning for about two weeks now, I've woken up with absolutely no remembrance of any dream whatsoever.  Nothing.  The other morning I mentioned this to "The Hub."  And you know what He said?

"Maybe He'll show up in His own time."

OK, whoa.

But still, I kept asking telling the Lord to please appear to me in my dreams.

And one morning, after "discussing" His failure to do this, I was complaining to Him (again) about it all…

"Why couldn't You just show up, Lord?  You do it for other people.  Sometimes people even have a vision of You when they're awake.  It wouldn't be that big a deal.  And I'm asking because it would just help me so very much to SEE You.  Just once.  Just to know You're there."

And then, one morning He answered me.

"Sharon, you don't need that."

(Small argument ensued – "Oh yes, Lord, yes I do.")

"No, you don't.  You KNOW I'm there, and that is enough."


Immediately, these verses came to my mind:

"Though you have not seen him, you love him." (1 Peter 1:8, ESV)

"For we live by believing and not by seeing." (2 Corinthians 5:7, NLT)


And then, as if He Himself said it out loud to me, this:

"'Blessed are those who believe without seeing me.'" (John 20:29, NLT)


So, here I ponder…

What is God saying to me?

I know that He wants to meet me here, in this place of distress.  I know He wants me to know something important.

So, in the words of Samuel, I utter, "Speak, your servant is listening."

And lo and behold, I feel something being revealed.  Three things, actually.


1) Though I do not see Him, I love Him.

This is an amazing thing when you think about it.  How can I love someone I've never *met*?  Well, it's possible because of God's great gift of faith. His Spirit within me enables me to do this.  For only by faith could I love Him without ever meeting Him in person.  And love Him I do, so much.

Love cannot be manufactured for a fantasy, and my love for Jesus *proves* His presence within me.


2) I am living a life of believing.

You know the old saying, "I'll believe it when I see it."  Well, I've heard it said that in the Christian walk, it's more like "I'll see it when I believe it."  The faith journey is not a journey of proof, but of conviction.  Sometimes not a journey of reassurance (something that is said or done to make someone feel less afraid, upset, or doubtful), as much as it is a journey of assurance (the state of being sure or certain about something).

The life of true faith does not demand, it depends.

It is learning to let go of my demands that Jesus "make an appearance" like a holy jack-in-box, so that I can learn to depend on the Truth that He is there.


3) In the *not seeing*, there is blessing and joy.

Looked up some synonyms for *blessed*:

Adored, exalted, glorified, redeemed, resurrected, rewarded, fortunate, blissfully happy or contented, divinely favored.

Sign me up – I want ALL of that!

And when Jesus Himself calls us blessed, He means it!

Might I paraphrase His words?

"Child, because you believe without seeing Me, you are divinely favored.  You have been given a special dose of Spirit-filled revelation and faith.  You are fortunate!  Rest assured, happy and contented, in the sure knowledge of My presence.  And be blissfully joyful that you are a partaker of My salvation."


Ah, even Scripture confirms this heavenly Truth:

"…though you do not [even] now see Him, you believe in Him and exult and thrill with inexpressible and glorious (triumphant, heavenly) joy.  [At the same time] you receive the result (outcome, consummation) of your faith, the salvation of your souls." (1 Peter 1:8-9, AMP)

Doubly blessed with joy and salvation.

Blessed indeed.


So, I guess I'm looking at things a little differently now.

I've always kinda envied Thomas for his singular opportunity to actually, physically touch the hands and side of Jesus.  But now, I'm concentrating more on what Jesus said to Thomas after this encounter.  

For indeed, He was saying these words about me (and you, too!):

"'Blessed and happy and to be envied are those who have never seen Me and yet have believed and adhered to and trusted and relied on Me.'" 
(John 20:29, AMP)


Still hiding under the fishing net, I hear Someone approaching.  I sense a hand lifting the corner.  I feel the warm breath of Jesus.  And, I hear Him whisper…

"The storms will come, and the waves will roar.  But, I am here. Believe!"

As soon as I open my eyes, He is gone from sight.

And that's OK.

For He is there, always and forever, by my side, as near as a heartbeat.

Can you sense Him, too?!

Do not be afraid.
 When you go through deep waters,
I will be with you.
When you go through waters of difficulty,
you will not drown.
When you walk through the fire of oppression,
you will not be burned up,
the flames will not consume you.
For I am the LORD,
your God,
your Savior.

Don't be afraid,
for I am with you.
Don't be discouraged,
for I am your God.
I will strengthen you
and help you.
I will hold you up
with My victorious right hand.

"'…blessed are your eyes, because they see; and your ears, because they hear.'" (Matthew 16:13, NLT)

"Jesus replied, 'You are blessed…because my Father in heaven has revealed this to you.  You did not learn this from any human being.'" 
(Matthew 16:17, NLT)

"'No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.'  But it was to us that God revealed these things by his Spirit.  For his Spirit searches out everything and shows us God's deep secrets." (1 Corinthians 2:9-10, NLT)

"So we don't look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen.  For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever." (2 Corinthians 4:18, NLT)

"For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; for who hopes for what he already sees?  But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it." (Romans 8:24-25, NASB)

"Now faith is the assurance (the confirmation, the title deed) of the things [we] hope for, being the proof of things [we] do not see and the conviction of their reality [faith perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the senses]." (Hebrews 11:1, AMP)

"And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever." (Isaiah 32:17, KJV)



Are you feeling overwhelmed with life? 


(No worries - we are NOT in the middle of a wildfire.  Only the refining fires of testing...)



Linked with:

SHARING HIS BEAUTY, PLAYDATES WITH GOD, SMALL WONDER, MONDAY'S MUSINGS, MONDAYS AT SOUL SURVIVAL, LIFE GIVING LINKUP, GOOD MORNING MONDAYS, GRATEFUL HEART MONDAY, REFLECT LINKUP, WORDS WITH WINTER, MOM 2 MOM MONDAY, THE ART OF HOMEMAKING MONDAYS, WORDS OF COMFORT MONDAY, TELL ME A TRUE STORY, SOLI DEO GLORIA, TITUS 2 TUESDAY, TESTIMONY TUESDAY, TELL IT TO ME TUESDAYS, RA RA LINKUP, WOMEN HELPING WOMEN, INTENTIONAL TUESDAY, TUESDAY TALK, TELL HIS STORY, UNITE, A LITTLE R & R WEDNESDAYS, WHOLEHEARTED WEDNESDAY, WISE WOMAN, COFFEE & CONVERSATION, SO MUCH AT HOME, THE (NOT JUST) HOMEMAKING PARTY, WORD FILLED WEDNESDAY, THREE WORD WEDNESDAY, COFFEE FOR YOUR HEART, WOMEN WITH INTENTION, WAITING ON WEDNESDAY, JOYHOPELIVE LINKUP, THOUGHT-PROVOKING THURSDAY, EVERYDAY JESUS, GRACE AT HOME, SHINE, THOUGHTFUL THURSDAYS, FROM HOUSE TO HOME, LITTLE THINGS THURSDAY, HEARTS FOR HOME, LOOKING UP LINKUP, FRIENDSHIP FRIDAY, EVERYDAY TESTIMONY, FELLOWSHIP FRIDAY, FAITH FILLED FRIDAY, SPIRITUAL SUNDAYS, COUNTING MY BLESSINGS, MAKE MY SATURDAY SWEET, FAITH & FELLOWSHIP, GRACE & TRUTH, DANCE WITH JESUS, THEOCENTRIC THURSDAYS, TGI SATURDAYS, SATURDAY SOIREE, STILL SATURDAY, WEEKEND WHISPERS, LIVING PROVERBS, SMALL VICTORIES SUNDAY, SUNDAY STILLNESS, GIVE ME GRACE




BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"

HAMSTER SURGERY

OK, yes, this has a backstory.

Years ago, my sons had hamsters.  Cute and cuddly little guys. 

We (I) enjoyed taking care of them – cleaning out the cage, changing the water, making sure they were fed.

But, there came a day when we faced a dilemma – vacation.

Obviously we couldn't take the critters with us – even though this decision was vociferously opposed. 

So, what to do?

Well, I decided to do what I always did when I needed some extra help – I asked Mom.

My mom is the best.  She was the only babysitter that I ever had for my kids.  I was lucky.  She lived close by – and I actually think she just might have sat by the phone all the time waiting for the opportunity to *watch the boys!*

I called her.

"Mom, would you be willing to watch the hamsters for us while we're gone on vacation?"

"Of course."

Then I shared with her how one of the hamsters had some sort of skin thing growing on his back.  It was making me nervous, and I didn't know what to do.

Mom, precious Mom, had an immediate answer:

"Don't worry.  I'll take care of it."

So, cages and food and sawdust and bedding fluff was dropped off at Mom's house – oh, and also two little furry bundles of fun.

And we left on vacation.

When we came back home, I called my mom to make arrangements to pick up the hamsters.  And to see how the "skin thing" was doing…

And then I found out what my mom had done.

In our absence, she had found and called a local vet by her house.  She had taken the hamster in for a visit.  And then, she had decided to have the vet perform surgery on the hamster to remove the growth.

Yes, surgery.

On a hamster.

Surgery that cost her (way back then) over $300!!

I couldn't believe it.

Mom had done an incredible thing.  I was amazed, though I shouldn't really have been.  My mom is just that sort of person.

I write about this story because I was thinking about it the other day.  I can still vividly remember the sense of relief I had handing over those hamsters to Mom.  Total peace of mind, no worries – calm thoughts and calm heart.

The reason I was thinking about this is because of the struggles that I've had lately letting go of stuff.

I pray – oh boy, do I ever pray!  But I just can't seem to let go.

I want so desperately to have that same peace of mind that I had with my mom.  I want to know that serenity.

So, I started thinking about WHY I was able to have peace about the hamsters.  Here's what I came up with:

1.  I completely trusted my mom.  I knew that I could count on her, that I could leave something in her care, and not give it a second thought.  I was well-acquainted with her character, and she had always proven trust-worthy. 

2.  Mom knew me in-and-out.  I knew that she wouldn't do anything to hurt me.  She would handle the situation just like I would.  She would do the right thing.

3.  Mom understood my heart.  She always cared about what I cared about.  The things that were precious to me were precious to her.  My concerns were hers, and my heartaches were borne in her heart, too.

4.  Mom was willing to take on the responsibility of taking care of things.  She shouldered the burden instead of me.

5.  Whatever it took, whatever the cost, Mom would do it out of love for me.  Her deepest desire was to bring me joy.

OK, that's a good list.

So, I'm asking myself – do I feel the same way about God?

The most honest answer I can give to this question is – yes and no.

I agree that all the things I said above about Mom also apply to God, too.

But, here's the rub.

Sometimes God lets things happen that are terribly difficult, painfully sad, achingly confusing…

In other words, not everything that God lets happen in my life is good.

(At least not by my definition).

Yes, He is trust-worthy.  Yes, He knows me in-and-out.  Yes, He understands my heart and cares about what I care about.  Yes, He has promised to bear my burdens.  And yes, He did what it took, paid the cost, just to bring me joy.

But I am not always joy-full.

So I have to admit that in the way that I live out my life, I do not trust God to guard me from suffering.

O.U.C.H.  

(Honesty hurts…)

A few years ago in Bible Study, I heard this thought (my paraphrase):

Whether God will or will not do something is up to Him.  Our part of the bargain is to decide whether we believe He is ABLE.

And, my friends, that is the crux of my problem.

I do believe with my whole heart that God is able to do anything – even the impossible.

But, when He doesn't do something that I think He should or could, what then?

Is He still good and worthy to be trusted?

Life, and the enemy of my soul, work very hard to convince me otherwise.

But, unless I'm willing to give up on Truth, I have to believe that God is trustworthy.  I cannot tolerate any inkling that He is a cruel despot or uncaring observer.

So what to do?

Here's some thoughts that I've come up with:

1.  Trust really isn't trust when things are going good.

2.  Trust becomes true trust when it is tested.

3.  Trust continues to believe in something or someone even when things go wrong.

4.  Trust is relying on someone’s character and not on the outcome of circumstances.

5.  Trust is believing something contrary to our feelings.

6.  Trust refuses to be side-tracked by lies.

7.  Trust should be based on what God has done in the past, and what He will do in the future – (think *the cross* and *eternal life*) – not on the current struggles.

And finally, trust must go beyond my own understanding of things.  If God is God, and I believe He is, He WILL do the best and good and perfect thing in my life...

EVEN. IF. IT. HURTS.

That is Truth, and that is Trust.

I'm asking the Lord to grant me the same peace of mind that I so remember from that episode with hamster surgery.  I am craving the same release from fear and worrying.

For I do know that He loves me – actually way more than even my mom does.

He died for me.

Oh, I can picture myself sitting at the foot of the cross, looking up at the broken body of a Savior, desperately searching His swollen and pain-filled eyes for some sense of peace.

And then, if I am quiet in my soul, I can hear Him whisper, inaudible to anyone else but me:

"Don't worry.  I'll take care of it."

And in tears, I know it's true.

He is the Great Physician.
The Master Healer.
The One who restores
the crushed in spirit,
and mends
the broken heart. 

"When the righteous cry for help, the LORD hears and delivers them out of all their troubles.  The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.  Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him out of them all." (Psalm 34:17-19, ESV)

"He heals the brokenhearted and bandages their wounds." (Psalm 147:3, NLT)

"'The Spirit of the LORD is upon me, for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor.  He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free...'" (Luke 4:18, NLT)

"'Healthy people don't need a doctor - sick people do.  I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners.'" (Mark 2:17, NLT)

"...he healed all the sick.  This fulfilled the word of the Lord through the prophet Isaiah, who said, 'He took our sicknesses and removed our diseases.'" (Matthew 8:16-17, NLT)

"And [Jesus] went throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction among the people." (Matthew 4:23, ESV)

"When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick." (Matthew 14:14, NIV)

"'Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?'  And Jesus answered them, 'Go and tell...what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them.  And blessed is the one who is not offended by me.'" (Matthew 11:3-6, ESV)

"By his wounds you have been healed." (1 Peter 2:24, ESV)

"Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed.  The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working." (James 5:16, ESV)

"He will swallow up death forever; and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from all faces...for the LORD has spoken.  It will be said on that day, 'Behold, this is our God; we have waited for him, that he might save us.  This is the LORD; we have waited for him; let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation.'' 
(Isaiah 25:8-9, ESV)

"I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, 'Look, God's home is now among his people!  He will live with them, and they will be his people.  God himself will be with them.  He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain.  All these things are gone forever.'  And the one sitting on the throne said, 'Look, I am making everything new!'...And he also said, 'It is finished!  I am the Alpha and the Omega - the Beginning and the End.'" (Revelation 21:3-6, NLT)

Amen and amen!



In what ways do you struggle with trusting God completely?



Linked with:

SHARING HIS BEAUTY, PLAYDATES WITH GOD, UNFORCED RHYTHMS, MONDAY'S MUSINGS, MONDAYS AT SOUL SURVIVAL, SALT & LIGHT, TELL ME A TRUE STORY, UNITE, SOLI DEO GLORIA, TITUS 2 TUESDAYS, TESTIMONY TUESDAY, CAPTURE YOUR JOURNEY, WOMEN HELPING WOMEN, WHAT YOU WISH WEDNESDAY, WHIMSICAL WEDNESDAYS, WINSOME WEDNESDAY, A LITTLE R & R WEDNESDAYS, WHOLEHEARTED WEDNESDAYS, TELL HIS STORY, WORD FILLED WEDNESDAY, SO MUCH AT HOME, COFFEE FOR YOUR HEART, THOUGHT-PROVOKING THURSDAY, THRIVING THURSDAY, EVERYDAY JESUS, HEARTS FOR HOME, GRACE AT HOME, FAITH BARISTA, FRIENDSHIP FRIDAY, LIGHT FRIDAY HIT LIST, ESSENTIAL FRIDAYS, FAITH FILLED FRIDAY, FELLOWSHIP FRIDAYS, MAKE MY SATURDAY SWEET, FIVE FOR FRIDAY, SPIRITUAL SUNDAYS, COUNTING MY BLESSINGS, STILL SATURDAY, WEEKEND BREW, RECOMMENDATION SATURDAY, SATURDAY SOIREE, GIVE ME GRACE, SUNDAY STILLNESS



BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"