Fall {Five Minute Friday}

Lisa-Jo offers the challenge week after week: take a measly five minutes and write. No over thinking, no backtracking, no ‘wait, that’s not spiritual enough, and I can’t share that in cyber city’ mentality. Only writing. Writing for five minutes and risking the outcome. {and don’t forget to spend some time commenting on the post of the person who linked up just before you.}

This week's prompt- Fall

When I first glanced at the word, I was reminded of last fall. A handful of grown-ups all trying to heed God's call took in a school full of children. Children that loved Jesus, even in all their awkward worship and insecure prayers. Last fall we welcomed them. In nine months we fell head-over-heels for them. Yesterday we said goodbye. And next fall we'll start again, just a little more wise, and lot more like the Savior.

Then last night my son came in to hug me, and we marveled at just how God knit and fashioned us- to hug neck to neck, face tucked into shoulders, falling into one another just so. He's still eleven, and he never ceases to tell me he loves me more and offer remindful embraces. I'd fall in love with him over and over, this boy of mine.

Then there is the fall of course, and the only way to battle that dilemma is to fall head first in love with Jesus Himself, the one who fell to the ground and died that we might live. The One who lost His life and then took it up for eternal life. For yours and mine. The one who gave up all and became the Perfect Man, defeating death by his own.

And don't be ignorant concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. Because those who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. And I am reminded of Nancy. And of the family left behind, left to continue living this life. And I pray they too have fallen for the "only One worth living for," and are comforted by the God of all comfort and the Father of mercy. That they would see their loved one again. That they would not fall into temptation, but be delivered from the evil one.

 

Now head over to The Gypsy Mama's site to visit other 'Five Minute Fridayers.' Be amazed at where one word can take a community of writers, and leave some encouraging feedback. Most importantly, it's your turn, go fall onto a chair, and let your thoughts fall into a keyboard. Then share them with us. 

Follow me on Facebook

Everything's Gonna Be Okay

“Everything’s gonna be okay, mom!”

She’s been yelling it through the house for weeks now. I’m not sure what started it, or why she feels the need to remind me every day, over, and over, and over again. Am I so stressed and overwhelmed with life that my fourteen-year-old feels the need to put things back into perspective for me? I certainly hope not! But, I welcome these words!

“Everything’s gonna be okay, mom!”

From out of nowhere they smack me in the face, and instantly I feel relief. What’s funny is that most of the time I don’t even realize my stress. There I am, going about my daily duties, folding clothes, sweeping the floor, driving the kids to school, and BAM- those words are thrown at me. It’s at that moment that I feel the weight of the world on my shoulders. It’s at that moment that I allow myself to exhale and relax. It’s at that moment that I realize everything IS going to be okay. EVERYTHING! And it’s at that moment that I am incredibly thankful for my fourteen-year-old! (Oh how I NEED to be thankful for her; to be reminded of how precious she is and how much I need her.)

I love how God speaks to me- in so many ways. I love that He allows me to be taught by the one I am obligated to teach. Doesn’t He know exactly WHAT to say, and exactly HOW to say it?! Only He knows that anyone else could say those exact words to me, and they wouldn’t quite have the same effect.

“Everything’s gonna be okay, mom!”

Yes, EVERYTHING IS going to be okay!

God's Little Blessings

For the last month, I’ve been extremely inconsistent in the area of fitness. It’s been a struggle to run just a few times a week, and I’m paying the consequences for it! Since I slacked off, I have gotten out of shape and made running even a short distance incredibly difficult. It’s so discouraging to go through this struggle, knowing I’m capable of going further because I have done it in the past, but also knowing I have to work back up to that place.

My main struggle is that I haven’t wanted to run alone lately. I used to run solo just fine! I even enjoyed the solitude I found in that time with just me, the outdoors, and the Lord. I’m not sure why my thinking has changed in this area, but hope I can get out of this ‘funk’ soon! My hubby has been so gracious to run with me when he can, even skipping the gym (which he much prefers) to come straight home after work and run with his needy wife. However, this results in us running the dark, which is not the best of circumstances. I can’t wait until the sun decides to stick around longer each day!

Yesterday I was having a difficult day, and knew I would feel better if I got out of the house and spent some time praying. So, I made myself do it; I made myself run alone! I put those shoes on and decided I would take a new route; enjoy a change of scenery. I hadn’t voiced to God my desire to run with someone. I hadn’t asked Him for a running buddy. But He knows our hearts and our desires, doesn’t He?  

You understand my thought afar off…. For there is not a word on my tongue, but behold, O LORD, You know it altogether. –Psalm 139:2,4

So I’m running, trying desperately to enjoy it, forcing myself to observe the blessings around me (thanks to a little perspective change from a friend) when all of a sudden this little guy scares

the bajeebers out of me! He came out of nowhere, and at first I thought he was chasing me. After a while, I realized he was running with me! God sent me a running buddy! I literally started laughing! Yes, my run was slightly interrupted since I had to take pics- I didn’t want to forget this! Have you ever tried running and using your cell phone’s camera at the same time? I don’t recommend it! But I’m glad I did J

Yes, it was only a silly bird, but I knew it was a little gift, just for me from my ever present God. On a trying day full of disappointment and tears, He met me and reminded me that He is always there, always comforting, always making Himself known, always offering ways to ease my burdens. I was filled with thanksgiving and joy. I don’t usually laugh on my runs! This day I did. Eventually my new friend ventured off into a nearby field (I think those short stubby legs got tired) and I was slightly disappointed to see him go. However, I was thankful he didn’t follow me home, since I would feel obligated to feed him, and then he might stay indefinitely.

Here is a short video of our run together. Such a cute little thing. (I apologize for how shaky it is -remember, I was trying to run- and in an attempt to save myself the embarrassment of allowing you to hear my labored breathing, I added music, but for some reason it's not working! Ugh. Again, I appologize, now you get to hear just how out of shape I am.) I wasn’t going to include the video, but decided I must, so you can fully enjoy my blessing with me!

God's Little Blessings

The LORD has been mindful of us; He will bless us; He will bless the house of Israel; He will bless the house of Aaron.

-Psalm 115:12

Like my Facebook page for regular updates.

Rejection and Healing Grace

Rejected. Disqualified. Undesirable. Unwanted. Lacking. Disappointing. Not good enough. Why, oh why am I here again? And so soon! Why do I continue to find my identity in things and other people? Why do I persist in setting myself up for failure and disappointment? My expectations are all wrong. I hate that I am dealing with this issue again. I am frustrated in myself for allowing it. Yet, here I am.

Truth is, I know God loves me unconditionally, and I think I know wholeheartedly that He has my best interest in mind. He’s not the one I doubt. It’s those around me that I struggle with. When others disappoint me, or when I feel like I have failed them, I KNOW without a doubt that I can rely on my trustworthy God. When I disappoint myself because I fail to meet my own expectations, He remains the same no matter my circumstances. This is what I will take comfort in, the sole thing that will keep me moving, keep me writing, and keep me grounded. I must keep my eyes on Him.

Once again I am soothed and reassured by the only One who really understands me. He reminds me that not only was He rejected, despised, misunderstood, and unwanted, but that He sufficiently fulfills all my needs and understands these struggles in my life because He encountered them Himself. Yet, He was without sin and blameless while I am sinful and full of blame. Even so, even as He sees my heart and my failures, He covers me with His unfailing love, compassion, kindness, and care.  And this is where I will sit. This is what I will let devour me. I will wait here in this place until His perfect love consumes the rejection that eats me up. I will be still and allow His healing power to incinerate those desires and feelings in me that are not of Him. I am reminded of those words to the song and I cry out “empty me Lord, and fill me with You!”

You may not be aware of the fact that as I write, I pray that my words might comfort and encourage you. I pray that my words would be His words and He would speak into your situation and bring healing. What you also may not know is that He does that very thing with me. Just in this short amount of time I have spent here, talking with Him and sharing with you, a measure of grace is being poured out upon me and I am being restored. And I am thankful. I am thankful that He speaks to me, chastens me, gives me words to share, allows me to share with you, and restores and encourages me the whole time. I am unworthy, yes, but He is in the habit of using such as me. And I am humbled.

If you are burdened today, please allow yourself to be filled with the only One who truly fills. Be filled with Jesus and His unconditional, perfect love today.

For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with

our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are,

yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the

throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy

and find grace to help in time of need.

-Hebrews 4:15-16 (NKJV)

Beauty for Ashes

My family just took a short adventure through the book of Ruth. Because it’s such a small nugget, buried between much larger books, we like to use the humorous saying “Joshua Judges Ruth” to locate it more quickly. When I consider this little book, I think of a God fearing woman who forsook all to follow her mother-in-law and eventually give herself to the true God. Or I think of Boaz who is a clear picture of our very own Kinsman Redeemer. As we journeyed through their lives this time however, I was again drawn to Boaz, but in a somewhat different manner.

Looking closely at the scriptures, we learn that Boaz was the son of Salmon and Rahab (Ruth 4:21, Matt 1:5). Yes, the same Rahab (Canaanite harlot and all) we find in the book of Joshua whom God rescued from the destruction of Jericho. Now, God had previously made it clear to His people they were not to take these Canaanite women as wives simply because of the risk of turning from the true God to Canaanite false gods (Deut 7:3). Nevertheless, regardless of her foreigner status, God had a plan for Rahab.

Yes, our God is a God who shows no partiality (Rom 2:11). However, we are a people full of partiality and I cannot help but imagine the Israelites overflowing with it. Do you think they warmly welcomed Rahab the Canaanite harlot into their camp? Do you imagine her receiving many invites for fancy quail dinners, or having friends stop by for manna and coffee? My imagination pictures a lonely Rahab surrounded by strange Israelites, adjusting to unfamiliar customs, striving to become acquainted with an all new God. What must that have been like for her son Boaz; child of the rejected foreigner? I suspect his upbringing was no walk in the park.

God, through years of isolated rejection, formed Boaz into a man of compassion and understanding. This compassion was greatly bestowed upon another foreigner: a Moabitess named Ruth. Boaz knew what it was like to walk in her shoes.  He, son of a foreigner, shunned, ridiculed, and most likely wrongly judged, considered Ruth not just an outsider, not just a Moabitess, but a creation of his God. Able to relate to her circumstances, he reached out to her, treated her with kindness and respect, and took her as wife. How proud Rahab would have been! More importantly, how please Boaz’s God was.  So pleased in fact, He included them both in the genealogy of the Messiah (Matt 1:1-16)! A son to the Canaanite harlot and a foreign Moabitess, penned forever in scripture as relatives of our Lord. Does it get any better than that? His mercy and grace have no boundaries.

I pray we are able to comfort others with the comfort we have received from Him and from our brothers and sisters (2 Cor 1:3-7). What difficulties have you faced? What hardships are you facing now? Are you allowing God to use you to comfort and console those who mourn, to give beauty for ashes, and praise for heaviness (Isa 61:3)?  As Boaz had kindness and understanding toward Ruth, I pray for compassion toward those around me. God, please take our circumstances and use them to bless others, furthering Your kingdom and Your gospel.

Who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort

with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

-2 Corinthians 1:4