"Open My Eyes That I May See"

"Open my eyes, that I may see
Glimpses of truth, Thou has for me.
Place in my hands the wonderful key
That shall unclasp, and set me free.

Silently now I wait for Thee,
Ready my God, Thy will to see.
Open my eyes, illumine me, Spirit Divine."

Chas. H. Scott
(from the hymn)


Praying this prayer daily and going quiet for the weekend.

Blessings,
Linda

Dear Jesus

October 28, 2010
Dear Jesus,

I was just wondering....when You were here on earth, did You ever have one of those mornings? One where you woke up to dark branches etched across a gray sky and felt the weight of discouragement pinning you to the bed?

I felt that way this morning. I tried to pray, but my tongue felt stiff. I thought about You and remembered that You said You experienced everything I would ever have to face. Is it possible that You too felt this weight pressing on Your heart? You - who knew how it would all end.

Were there times the rejection stung - wounding to the very heart of You - especially when it was Your own family? Were there days You wanted to give up - days when those closest to You simply didn't understand and stooped to petty disagreements over who would be greatest?

Did You get weary of having every word and action scrutinized, criticized, and challenged? Didn't it hurt when all they wanted was a miraculous side-show and You longed to give them so much more?

How did You walk through the days knowing one closest to You would one day betray You? Weren't there mornings, when You longed to open Your eyes and find Yourself back home, safe in the arms of Your Father?

If all, or any of that is true Lord Jesus, how did You manage to get up every morning and faithfully do what You had been called to do? My problems seem small in comparison to all of those things You suffered, but there are days when they loom large.

If You have the time, could You write back and let me know? Thank You so much.

With all my love,
Linda

Dear Daughter,

"“Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed” (Mark 1:35)

"But He Himself would often slip away to the wilderness and pray." ( Luke 5:16)

"And it was at this time that He went off to the mountain to pray, and He spent the whole night in prayer to God." ( Luke 6:12)

I love you too,
Jesus

linking to Emily's imperfect prose



Blessings,
Linda

Breaking

When I am content
with the me I am,
When I am discouraged
with the me I have become,
You begin the process
of taking it all apart -
the breaking,
the tearing,
the uprooting,
the cleansing,
the filling,
the putting back together
That I might be
more like Him.

linking to One Stop Poetry

Blessings,
Linda

Thankful for Wisdom

I am now a "woman of a certain age," so it is noteworthy when I find myself one of the youngest in the group. Such was the case last friday when we went to lunch with my Mom and Dad and another elderly couple who are dear friends.

We met at Mom and Dad's little house and then drove to a nearby restaurant. Matching our steps to those slowed by age and illness, we went inside and found our places around the table. The food was delicious, but there was something far more satisfying being served up.

I felt like a little girl again, sitting at the table, listening to the adult conversation and feeling somehow comforted. Wisdom, garnered from years of experience and walking with the Lord, flavored their words, and it was good.

I have certainly lived long enough to know that "there is nothing new under the sun", but it is so encouraging to hear from those who have experienced so much of joy and sorrow. There is great treasure to be mined from the life of one who has trusted in the saving grace of God.

Life, with all its attendant trials and heartbreak, is put into perspective when viewed through the prism of these precious people. They bear witness to the truth that what really matters cannot be measured by worldly standards. It is not possessions or power or fame that bring contentment; it is our relationships - with family, the people that fill our lives, and the Lord.

I am thankful for Godly parents and friends - for the wisdom that comes with age - for a God who is all He has promised to be.

Linking with Ann today - part of the Gratitude Community

Blessings,
Linda

Great is Thy Faithfulness

"Summer and winter, and spring-time and harvest,



Sun, moon and stars in their courses above,




Join with all nature in manifold witness to Thy great faithfulness mercy and love.



Great is Thy faithfulness!
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see;
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided-
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord unto me."

T.O. Chisholm


Blessings,
Linda

from the hymn "Great is Thy Faithfulness"

Hope

Hope stands-
shuffling feet
wringing hands
eyes pleading
wishing.

Elpida* stands-
feet firmly planted
hands outstretched
arms open wide
confident expectation.

*Elpida is the Greek word for hope. It is the confident expectation we have in Jesus.

Linking to One Shot and to Em's imperfect prose.



Blessings,
Linda

picture: Esperanza (hope) plant at my neighbor's house

Transformation

My husband is one of those people who can do just about anything he sets his mind to. He was carpenter, plumber and electrician (Master Electrician by trade) when he built our home - not to mention tiling the floor, installing the cabinets and almost every other detail involved in finishing the inside. However, I think the thing he has enjoyed doing the most is building hot rods.

He worked on an old car when we were in high school, but it wasn't until our boys were teenagers that he had the time and resources to really pursue his passion. Together they have made something beautiful out of rusted old cars and trucks.



This is an old 1929 Ford Sedan that he and our younger son found through an ad in the paper. It was living in a field - masquerading as a chicken coop. When they looked at it they didn't see a rusty useless piece of junk; they saw the possibilities. And so they brought it home.

It would have done little good to do a bit of repair work and slap a coat of paint on this poor old dear. In order to transform it into the hot rod of their dreams, they first had to tear it all apart.
They painstakingly sandblasted every bit of the rust and then began to primer and paint each piece.


They didn't have a fancy paint booth where they could paint and dry the parts, so they had to improvise. They painted outdoors and then hung them between two trees, rather like Monday morning's wash.



Then they carefully began to put the pieces back together.

After months of hard work they realized the dream. The transformation was complete (and that was one happy teenager!).





I was thinking about those hot rods the other day - about what it really meant to take them from rusted, useless old cars to something so beautiful. I saw an analogy with what the Father does with my life.

He is not content to do a quick fix - spiffing up the outside so I look good. Instead He works with infinite patience and care on every detail of my life - beginning on the inside where all the scars and stains, if left untreated, would eventually make their way outward to mar the work. He is far more interested in doing a complete work than hurrying to make me look better.

I am thankful that He loves me, loves each of us, in such a complete way. He has a dream for us and is willing to do the work involved in making it come true. It is a long process, but the end result is transformation beyond anything we can imagine.

"For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus."
Philippians 1:6

I am also thankful for:
- the prayers of friends
- His care of my Dad (another story for another day)
- beautiful, blue sky so brilliant it almost hurts your eyes
- phone calls from Paris
- hot chocolate with whipped cream
- a granddaughter who loves to play the violin
- red holly berries set against a brilliant blue sky
- walks with friends
- a husband who does the dishes for me
- cinnamon scented candles

linking to Ann's Gratitude Community.

Blessings,
Linda

Loving God

"The true proficiency of the soul consists not so much in deep thinking, or eloquent speaking or beautiful writing; as in much and warm loving. Now if you ask me in what way this much and warm love may be acquired, I answer, -By resolving to do the will of God, and by watching to do His will as often as occasion offers."
St. Teresa

"This commandment have we from Him, that he who loveth God love his brother also."
I John 4:21

Blessings,
Linda

Worship

The large choir room echoed with the sound of praise. Worship had begun with voices raised in song and ended with hearts overflowing. The silence was filled with a sense of His abiding presence.

Amanda, one of our Music Ministers, prayed over us and then finished with these words:

“God made us beings who seek something to worship.”

It touched something deep in my heart. Had she just said, “God made us beings who worship.” it would not have moved me so powerfully. It was that one little word, “seek.”.....

read more at Laced With Grace - I'm over there this morning and would be so grateful to have you join me there.

Blessings,
Linda

V.A.

Over the past twenty-three years we have logged countless hours sitting in V.A. waiting rooms. I wrote this poem when we first began. It still rings true.

V.A.
A multitude of people;
none known to me by name.
We meet and pass in silence,
with each it is the same.

Some walk alone, eyes downcast;
some laugh with one close by;
some gaze with eyes of sorrow;
some smile and softly sigh.

The ragged and the wealthy,
the simple and the sage,
the young and old together
for suffering knows no age.

A multitude of faces;
You know each one by name.
You see beneath the surface,
no two are quite the same.

You know each need and sorrow,
with eyes of love You see.
You long to touch these needy hearts -
but it must be through me.

Linking to Emily's imperfect prose today.



Blessings,
Linda

Daddy's Eyes

I saw him just the other day;
it seemed He'd grown a mile.
He looked a little like his Daddy,
especially when he smiled.

It wasn't in his stature,
for he hadn't reached full size.
I saw the similarity
deep within his eyes.

The sparkle of a ready wit
that only spoke a part.
A shining clearness from the depths
born of a caring heart.

I have a heavenly Father,
whose face I've never seen.
But I've had glimpses of His eyes
for He's offered them to me.

When I am looking with His eyes,
all things are somehow new.
I look beneath the surface
to see the heart of you.

His eyes, now mine, see past the smile
that hides the hurt and pain.
They look with love at prodigals
and wish them home again.

They see, through tears, rebellious hearts,
the ones He longs to save.
They look into the eyes of One
whose life He freely gave.

I don't suppose I look like Him,
this Father big and wise,
but it's my prayer that you might think
I have my Daddy's eyes.

linking to One Shot Poetry
and to Ann's Walk With Him Wednesday




Blessings,
Linda

He Knows

This one's for me. For those times when I wonder if the Father really does take notice of every detail of my life, if He really does know my every thought. Perhaps it will minister to someone else who is struggling.

It was just yesterday that I left a comment on Jennifer's post about prayer. I struggle with prayer, and there are seasons when I am so dry I cannot find words; when prayer becomes rote and empty; when the distance between heaven and earth seems immeasurable. I wrote that I was in such a season now.

This morning I picked up my little devotional, "Joy and Strength" and read the Father's words to me (it just knocks me off my feet when He does this).

"There are some who give up their prayers because they have so little feeling in their prayers - so little warmth of feeling. But who told us that feeling was to be a test of prayer? The work of prayer is a far too noble and necessary work to be laid aside for any lack of feeling. Press on, you who are dry and cold in your prayers, press on as a work and as a duty, and the Holy spirit will, in His good time, refresh your prayers Himself."

Arthur F. Winnington Ingram

"My soul cleaveth unto the dust; quicken Thou me according to Thy word. "
Psalms 119:25

Blessings,
Linda

Praise and Thanks

"In everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God which passeth all understanding shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."
I Thess. 5:18

"He does not say it as a benediction only: he (Paul) tells us, it 'shall keep your hearts and minds.' Do the one and god will do the other. Ask what you will, be thankful; and not peace only, but peace which passeth all which our poor minds can think, shall keep these poor breaking restless hearts - these ever wearying, worrying minds of ours - in Christ Jesus."
E.B. Pusey

I look at life from the vantage point of sixty-three years and come to understand that for every heart that trusts in God there will come a time when faith is tested. There may be many times when doubts and questions gently shake the foundation of our faith, but I am talking about a time of upheaval - when unimaginable circumstances threaten to destroy all that we have believed.

I found myself in such a place several years ago. I tend to write about it often. It was, for me, earth-shaking. Adding to my distress was the inability to pray. I simply didn't know how, and so the prayer became, "Lord - please show me what to pray."

Gently, quietly, the answer came: "Praise." And so I did, filling my heart with the Psalms and offering them back to Him; thanking Him for His faithfulness, love and grace.

At first it was just an exercise in faith, a faith I could barely hold on to. Then, imperceptibly, a sense of peace began to make its way into my heart. It was the only change in my situation, but it made all the difference. It was a peace that shouldn't have been there. It came as a gift, a promised gift, from a Father who loved me more than I could fully understand.

Praise and thanks - we offer them to Him, and He pours out blessings we haven't room to contain.

Thank You Father:

- for promises that never fail
- for love that sustains me
- for grace without measure
- for joy that has its source in You
- for protection
- for orchestrating everyday miracles
- for the gift of meeting a dear, dear friend for the very first time
- for grandchildren who have grown in stature and wisdom
- for caring so gently for my aging parents
- for hope

joining Ann's gratitude community

Blessings,
Linda

We Are Family

We've spent the past few days visiting the Grands - playing, stitching, reading, laughing, talking.... storing up precious memories.















Wishing you moments filled with love and joy.

Blessings,
Linda

Will You Dance With Me?

Can you see them dancing
slender bodies, swaying in the breeze?
They are not the same
each unique in size, shape and color
but they dance in perfect unison,
a dance choreographed
by the Maker of the wind.

Will you dance with me?
We are not the same;
each of us unique - fashioned according to His plan.
But we can dance in unison
if we will move to the gentle
breath of His Spirit-
following the steps of Him
who prayed we would be one.

" I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in Me through their message. I pray that they will all be one, just as You and I are one - as You are in Me, Father, and I am in You. And may they be in us so that the world will believe You sent Me. I have given them the glory You gave Me, so they may be one as we are one. I am in them and You are in Me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that You sent Me and that You love them as much as You love Me." John 17:20-23
I am linking to Emily's imperfect prose today. Thank you Em!



Blessings,
Linda

Beloved

The weak light of early morning filled the bedroom window, carrying the promise of another glorious day. I lay for a few moments and tried to pray - feeling the distance between us again. It is a distance of my own creation - made up of feelings of guilt, remorse and unworthiness.

I began with thanks but quickly drifted into confession - the same old sins yet again. The distance widened, and I asked Him, "How?" How can He forgive me over and over again?

It is always the same - this giving in to ingrained habits and selfish desires. There is the moment of decision, the rationalization that it really isn't such a big deal and I'll do better tomorrow, the step into rebellion. The distance widens.

It becomes difficult to accept the grace and forgiveness freely offered - and the question weighs down my heart, "How?"

There came a gentle whisper this morning, "Because I love My Son too much not to. To withhold forgiveness would be to denigrate the sacrifice." The distance closed and my heart wept with the realization of such love - a love that extends to even me. It has nothing to do with my worth and everything to do with His.

Such love compels me to embrace the forgiveness He has provided with such amazing love and to turn from those things that would seek to separate me from Him.

"and behold, a voice out of the heavens, saying, 'This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.'"
Matt. 3:17

Blessings,
Linda

picture taken at the Christian School in our neighborhood

Growing Up

I had one of those "Aha!" moments a few days ago. It had something to do with aging and wisdom and failure and responsibility and so many things I've been thinking about in recent years. I'm still not sure how to write about it - how to get from point A to point B and have it all make sense. I'm just thinking out loud....

Not too long ago I heard a news reporter refer to a sixty-something gentleman as elderly. Elderly!! How had I suddenly gone from middle-aged (which in and of itself was a complete shock) to elderly? Perhaps the mirror really hasn't been lying.

I don't think I've ever really been comfortable inside grown-up skin. Having been married for nearly forty-four years with three children and seven grandchildren, one would have thought I would be by now, but it isn't so. There is a child heart inside of me that just refuses to acknowledge the passage of time. It is much more comfortable letting someone else do the grownup "stuff."

A few days ago, I sat at a table with a group of women who were young enough to be my daughters. As I looked at their beautiful faces, I felt the Father whisper something into my heart - something that sounded very much like, "It's time to grow up daughter."

From time to time I've gotten those letters from church asking for older women willing to mentor younger women. I've read them and told myself that I could never be a mentor. I have done too many things wrong, failed too many times, lacked enough wisdom, wasn't a mature enough Christian. I often hesitate to offer advice or to even write about some of the things I believe feeling I have not lived them out myself.

On that day the Father seemed to say that, yes, all those things (and more) are true, but He has redeemed all of those things. He went on to remind me of all the mentors He has placed in my life - at just the right time and in just the right places; of all the gifted teachers who have poured so much into my heart and mind. Even though I have not always perfectly lived out the things I know to be true and wise and right, it doesn't mean I cannot share them with someone else.

On that day, my grownup skin began to feel a bit more comfortable. I looked at those beautiful faces and knew that the Father was calling me to move to a different place. There are some callings, some responsibilities, that simply come as we enter a new season of life:

" Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior, not malicious gossips, nor enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good, that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be sensible, pure, workers at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be dishonored."
Titus 2:3-5


Blessings,
Linda