The Word That Comforts

On Monday, my back was a little sore, yesterday it really hurt. After not being able to get comfortable while laying down, and getting little sleep because of it, my back is aching today. I am only in my mid 40’s, but am feeling much older today…at least my lower back is. I have no idea what I did to cause this. I am spending my time puttering around the house today, doing a little of this and a little of that. It feels better to stand than to sit, so I will stay at least moderately busy.

Sitting here at the kitchen table, while typing, is starting to hurt….so, instead of spending my normal amount of time blogging, today I leave you one of my former posts. The words are comforting in a world that is ever changing.

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God Is Already There

 

 

 

We live in uncertain times. There are plenty of anxious

moments to go around. Fear of the unknown runs rampant.

The questions of daily life can loom large, leaving us wondering what tomorrow will hold?

Most of us, unless you are the daredevil, fly by the seat of your pants type, like some security.

We like to know there is some stability in this ever changing world we live in…

When desperation drives us to our knees…

When the hurting parts of life seem to painful to bear…

We want to not fear what tomorrow holds.

And The Word is strong and true…it leaps, alive, off the page.

Fear can be replaced with courage. Anxiousness can be replaced with calm assurance.

Not to worry about the future…

God is already there.

Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the LORD your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leaveyou nor forsake you. Deuteronomy 31:6 NKJV

When I am afraid, I will trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can mortal man do to me?  Psalm 56:3-4NIV

Children Of God

Today at Faith Barista we are writing about Jesus.

I can’t think of a better subject.

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This world is hard on people.

Heart Candle (Photo credit: Bob.Fornal)

Oh, none of us like to talk about it, admit it….but, deep down we know it is true.

Life can be harsh and confusing and many times it… well, it can be irritating.

At the very least it wears us down.

I needed a perspective change…

Last night in Bible study, we ladies were discussing the verses about Jesus being The Word, and dwelling among us.

And, once again I was reminded…

⁹ The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. ¹⁰ He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. ¹¹ He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. ¹² Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— ¹³ children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.

¹⁴ The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.  John 1:9-14 NIV

Jesus understood the pain of not being understood. Can we even imagine?  Being accused. Being abused.

These particular verses amaze me…every single time I read them. They are powerful. Jesus, Creator of the world, and yet people didn’t recognize Him. Many did not believe Him….but, to those who did (and do), HE gave the right to become CHILDREN OF GOD.

Stop.

Think about what I just wrote. Read the verses for yourself. Do it.

It is right there in black and white.

We, as believers, are adopted. Signed and sealed, because……..

Jesus chose to love us.

I don’t know about you, but that changes my perspective about today and tomorrow.

How can it not?

I’m carrying this Word in my heart today, with a smile on my face.

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My Answer Is Yes!

“What is your one word for 2013?”

The question was posed. I have been thinking on the answer…many words come to my mind. Great words. Deep words. Interesting words.

But, not the word for me, for this year.

Then, yesterday, it happened. The word came to me. It hit me like the proverbially ton of bricks.

It is a simple word. Easy to understand, really. The word is…

YES

I said, “yes” to Christ decades ago, but had I been living the yes? I proclaimed with my lips that Jesus was enough, that He alone was all that I needed, but did I live those words? Were they real to me? Sadly, I had to answer “no”, at least not like they should be. My heart broke at the realization. I want it to be true for me all the time. I want my yes to ring clear, in all situations.

I know that Jesus really is enough for me, for you, for the world. He proved it, once and for all.

Yes, it is difficult to remember that, when the diagnosis has been made, the job has been lost, the child is hurt, or the relationship is failing. The yes, comes hard. At times I’ve wanted to run the opposite direction. I’ve chosen the easy. Cried the frustration.

But, I want my answer to be, yes! Yes, to the One who is enough.

Yes, to all He is.

So, my word for 2013 is, yes! Faith walks hand in hand with that yes. When the days are long, or when the days are all too short. In good times, and yes, in the difficult times, because really if my answer, my word, is yes…it has to be yes all the time.

My B-I-B-L-E

It’s cover has faded from a rose pink to more of a faded blush. The once new leather, is now soft to the touch. There is only a faint bit of silver

left on the embossed letters of my name. The binding is broken, and the books of Ephesians through 1 Peter have to continually be tucked back in. There are pages that have tape and creases that can’t be fixed. It’s not really much to look at anymore…….

And yet, it is one of my most prized possessions.

This Bible of mine, is precious to me. It is personal. It is real…. from God to me. It’s a law book, a life manual, a treasure trove of wisdom, an adventure story,  a romance, and an autobiography. The past, the present and the future collide in a heart pounding, mind blowing, life changing book.

I write in my Bible. Some would reprimand me for this. Others would say that they do the same. Regardless, if anyone were to pick up my Bible they would see my life story mingled among the pages of God’s Word,  laid out before their eyes.

Notes scribbled in margins, words from various pastors. Quotes that meant something to me. Questions next to particular verses. The baptism of my son in 2002. The death of my late husband in 2000. Scripture underlined for emphasis. Other words boldly highlighted. The Wednesday night service after 9/11 happened….when I was crying and didn’t understand. Other times I wrote my thoughts when the words deeply resonated with me. I added my wedding date to my second husband. I had written in margins, words that reminded me that, although life might not have gone according to MY plans, life is still good and God continues to be Sovereign. I am blessed. Really, blessed. Far beyond what I deserve.

Above all else, my Bible reminds me that I love a God who did not create me and then leave me forever.

He is coming back for me.

It won’t be over. It will just be beginning.

And I can’t wait to read that next chapter.

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path. Psalm 109:105  NIV

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Today I am thankful for:

* bright glowing, fiery sunrise

* morning quiet

* late summer coolness in the air

* purring cats

* a new school year

* being able to teach

* helping others

* a car that runs

* A God who is involved

* Jesus who is preparing a place

* laughter

* birds swooping through the sky

* a clean dining room table

* getting a good deal at the store

* a happy sister

* good kids

* a husband who reminded me that we are “stuck” together for as long as we both shall live

* fresh eggs from my own chickens

* looking forward to family visiting

* life

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Heart Healing

Today ladies are writing about A heart healing moment, at Faith Barista.

Words cut deep, and leave a gaping wound. Over time the wound heals…leaving behind an invisible scar. Along the way, more words and the wound is opened again. It is ugly and it hurts. The pain oozes out and runs down through the years. Words can change people, for better or for worse.

I still remember the words.

I was ten years old, and spending the day at a classmate’s house. She was one of my best friends in elementary school. We were playing hide and seek in her family’s two story farm house. I was hiding in the sitting area, next to the piano. It was a good place, and I could hear my friend looking for me. Unfortunately, I also heard her teenage brother come into the kitchen and announce, “You should be able to find her, she’s big enough that she can’t hide behind anything.” Tears sprang to my eyes, a sob caught in my throat….but, I didn’t make a sound. I stayed there. Hidden. Not knowing what to do. Not wanting to be seen. My friend eventually found me. I never told her what I had over heard. I kept it inside.

And haven’t we all been there? Whether it is a weight issue, or skin issue, or your chest is flat, and your nose is big….maybe your ears stick out, or you stuttered as a kid. Maybe you had a difficult time learning to read and you thought you were stupid. Or maybe your pain was never seen, at the hands of a drunk, or  putdowns from a parent who didn’t know how to show love. As adults, the words can sting and cut just as deep. Words can be harsh, and the scars left behind can crisscross a soul.

Years later I looked back at pictures of that time in my life, and the truth is, I wasn’t big. I was the size of an average fifth grader. Her brother was tall and super skinny, with frizzy hair and his face was broke out. He probably was dealing with issues of his own. I can look back and see that event for what it actually was, but it still hurt. I carried the scars of that with me for a very long time. Those thoughtless words obviously had a profound effect on me, if I’m still able to recall them after thirty-three years.

It was May of that same year, and I was getting ready to turn eleven. It was then that I gave my life to Christ. Even at that young age, I knew I needed Him. I knew I could trust Him. I understood grace and salvation, as much as a ten year old is able to comprehend. I understood that Jesus loves me, was not just a song, but the truth. I got it, that I could trust my heart with Him. I knew that He would never hurt me.

This passage from the Bible has had a deep and long lasting effect on me.

¹³ For you created my inmost being;
   you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
¹⁴ I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
   your works are wonderful,
   I know that full well. Psalm 139  NIV

These words make my heart sing.

I was WONDERFULLY made. God told me so…..and I can take Him at His word.

Always.

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Finding My Voice

Image via Wikipedia

Today the topic is:  Finding My Voice. Bonnie, at Faith Barista, always seems to ask the tough questions.

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Growing up I was always the quiet one.

The people pleaser.

The one who always did what needed to be done.

I didn’t want teachers calling on me, not because I didn’t know the answers, but because…

I was uncomfortable with my own voice.

What if what I said sounded stupid? What if what I said didn’t make sense? What if what I said wasn’t useful?

“What if” is a killer and fear is its accomplice.

Suffocating.

Silent.

But, deadly nonetheless.

It took me a long time to realize that what I had to say was just as important as the next person’s words.

And just as valid.

The older I get the more I realize that words are important.

That they need to be said.

That they should be said.

That voices are meant to be used.

That words can cause change.

Build courage. Right wrongs. Show compassion. Be encouragement. Find friends. Make people laugh.

Ease pain. Speak truth. Give assistance. Show passion. Be powerful. Be gentle. Allow worship and song.

Give courage. Show emotion.

Words are real…whether spoken or written.

I am no longer uncomfortable with my words.

My voice is a part of me…

And I choose to let it be heard.

May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart
   be pleasing in your sight,
   LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.  Psalm 19:14  NIV

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