Eyes to see

This morning I had fixed a couple of sausage patties from Brant.  He’s on the road today and was busy getting ready to leave.  He had taken a bite out of one and put the dish down and, in his getting ready, he now couldn't find them.  We began to search, retracing steps, looking high and low, until we’d just about given up.  As I scanned the counter tops, one last time, there they were – patiently waiting in the dish where he had left them.  We had missed them because also sitting on the counter were the cat’s dishes containing their cat food.  The dishes were similar and because they are always there we “didn't see” the dish containing the sausages. 

The lesson for me is that sometimes I miss seeing something because what I’m looking at is too familiar, like the many gifts God has given.  Because they’re always there, I overlook their unique beauty and wonder.  Lord, give me eyes to see all that I have been missing.

Contentment - Phil 4:11-12

Father, Paul says he has learned to be content – in any situation.  I guess, I’m still learning.  I sometimes feel like I can survive any situation . . . but contentment is not always evident.  Sometimes I’m clinging to You, holding on with a wing and a prayer.  I’m just so grateful that You are always faithful, constant and the rock on which I stand.   If Paul can learn, then so can I because You have given us the same Spirit and You will complete the work that You have begun.  This I believe, this I choose.

I have called you by name (Isa 43)

I remember a time, many years ago when I lived on my own in a small up-stairs apartment over one below.  It was a beautiful spring day and I had the windows open to let in the fresh air and sun light.  At that moment I was standing in front of a mirror, brushing my hair and humming a song when I literally heard someone call my name.  It startled me so much that I let out a little scream of surprise and turned to see who was there . . . but there was no one.  I looked outside and went from room to room, but found no one.

It was during this time that I was working as the music person on an upcoming women’s retreat.  One of the songs we were using was one called “I Heard the Lord Call My Name” and it just happened to be the song I had been humming – some of the words are listed below. 

As I stood there in my apartment wondering what or if I had heard anyone, it came to me, in a gentile whisper, that it was the Lord and that He had indeed called me by name.  I smiled to myself, amused that He would call me at such an ordinary and uneventful moment and humbled that He DID call me and that I was His.

I heard the Lord call my name listen close you’ll hear the same
I heard the Lord call my name listen close you’ll hear the same

His word is Love.  Love’s His word that’s the message that I heard
His word is Love.  Love’s His word that’s the message that I heard

I felt His Love from above settle on me like a dove
I felt His Love from above settle on me like a dove

And to the Father all your days - with the Son and Spirit praise!

And to the Father all your days - with the Son and Spirit praise!

Be still

In the quiet stillness God speaks and breathes new life and healing into our souls. 

I remember the expression “getting in the weeds” when I worked as a waitress.  It meant things were overwhelming, when the demands felt like they were more than one could handle.  It was in these times that I learned it was necessary to take a moment and just breathe; to find or create a quiet spot and tune out all the chaos. Your mind tells you “I don’t have the time for this” but your heart knows you do.  Because in the quiet He is present.  Oh, He’s there in the noisiness of life as well, but unless we take the time to listen, we’ll miss Him, His words of encouragement and peace. It requires a certain discipline and a willingness to “let go” of our control or what we think is our control.  Intentional listening. It only takes a moment.

Lessons from a guitar string

Music is made in stress.  A string pulled tight, it has to be plucked, it has to be stressed.  Moved from its comfortable, resting position.  The bending of the string induces stress.  As the string bends, as the sting arches in stress and then releases it vibrates - and there is the offering.  This one note, high and long.  Stressed and empty and stretched right out, this is the space of song

In stress there can be song.  The resonance is in the surrender.  (A Voskamp)

Reading these words, I am reminded of a time long ago.  I was part of the music team at a women’s retreat, a position of comfort as I could “hide” behind my guitar.  On this retreat however, I had also been asked to give a talk.  In preparation several of the team would meet in the chapel before each talk to pray with the presenter.  As we gathered to pray for me, I pretty much feel apart – fear and nerves took over, I didn’t think I could go on. 

One person began to pray and as they did they prayed a pray very much like the words above. To produce the music from the guitar, there must be tension and that the musician knows just how taught the string needs to be to produce the right sound, the right note.  That I was like that string and God, my Father was the great musician and knew just how much tension was needed to make a beautiful sound.  His grace would be sufficient, that I could rest in His hands.

Well, I did the talk and I’m grateful to report that it went just fine.  I learned a valuable lesson that day, that in those times of stress, we can trust Him to produce in us a beautiful song.  He knows what He’s doing, all we need do is surrender into His most capable and loving hands . . and let the song be played.

Complete in Him

Abba, reading this morning and remembering, holding Joshua in my arms, his golden curls surrounding his sweet face, sleeping, breathing warmth upon me, the peace, the joy, the contentment.  Wanting that moment to never end.

Now he’s a young man, with a wife and a life separate from mine. . . and I miss him.  I am so grateful for the young man he has become, so grateful -  but there is an ache in my heart for the little boy who held my hand and filled my days with wonder.

But this is as it should be – for him and for me.  The love is still there, different perhaps, but very much present in our relationship.  And I am grateful.

Your love is a perfect love that knows no end, a love that never changes, always present.  Yours is the very breath I breathe and the rhythm of my heart beat, the hand that holds me, the voice that comforts me and the life that fills each moment    . . . and I am so very grateful to be Your child.

Grace to give

Father, as I came to this chapter (2 Cor 8) on “giving” I almost skipped it partly because I didn't really want to deal with it – and then I realized it’s an area I do need to deal with, or rather allow You to.  While I have always given, I have not always done so cheerfully and I know it is the attitude of my heart that really matters. I understand these things with my head but need You to help me get them into my heart.  Not just in the area of money, but with my whole life. 

One of my life’s goals is to be generous with my life.  I believe that is a desire that You have placed within my heart and Your grace will accomplish what You have begun.  All I can do is trust You, to listen for Your voice and follow where You lead.  It’s a wonderful journey and I am so grateful that You are with me – each and every step of the way . . .even when I am reluctant.