Time

It seems to me time, like a comic super-hero, has magical powers. It has an ordinary appearance, marching along in carefully measured ticks - never deviating from one day to the next. And yet....and yet, it can take a little girl and change her into a young woman in the blink of an eye - turning a deaf ear to pleas to just stand still for a little while.

When I saw her, after long months of separation, she took my breath away. Once again time flexed its muscles, and I was catapulted back in time to a day when I was younger than she is now. A dreamy high school girl, discovering love and dreaming of the day when I would marry and have children. Two little boys danced in my imagination - boys that looked remarkably like my high school sweetheart.

As I stood in the present moment, looking at my Granddaughter, I marveled at the blessing. The Father took the dreams of my youth and added such bounty. Not just two little boys - but a little girl too. Watching them grow into adults as time spun the moments into years. And then, the gifts I hadn't even known enough to dream - Grandchildren. My children's children embracing the legacy of faith passed down through the generations - through time.

I hugged her close and wondered at the grace and love that gives such good gifts.

Joining Emily today for Tuesdays Unwrapped.

Blessings,
Linda

Sunday

"For you will go out with joy, and be led forth with peace; the mountains and the hills will break forth into shouts of joy before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands."

Isaiah 55:12

Joining Deidra today:



Blessed Sunday,
Linda

Thanksgiving Wishes

Sending all of you wishes for a blessed Thanksgiving Day. Praying that no matter what circumstances you find yourself standing in, you will know that the Father is there with you, and that He loves you with an everlasting love. May His peace, joy and love fill your hearts with a gratitude that goes beyond the bounds of circumstances.

The Laced With Grace Team has put together a special Thanksgiving post. Please join us there as we number the blessings He has poured into our lives.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone.

With love,
Linda

The Other side of Gratitude

There she sat, in the middle of torn wrapping paper, ribbons and a pile of new toys, crying in frustration because there were no more presents to open. I remember the swift play of emotions - humor, compassion, and a touch of disappointment. I had expected something different in return for all we had given.

I thought of that moment as I found myself standing on the flip side of gratitude. I felt a bit like that little one who thought the gifts would come all wrapped in beautiful paper and tied with shiny ribbon and that there would be an endless supply.

To be sure, the gifts have come - lovely, numerous and better than I imagined. However, there have been other gifts - ones I've chosen not to label as such. Ugly ones that I didn't expect - one piled on top of another. And rather than give thanks for everything, I chose to focus on the ones I didn't want and stepped from gratitude to complaining.

Unfortunately, a heart that starts to complain doesn't stop there. It begins a downward cycle into self-pity, envy, and anger. Finally it goes a step too far and a gap between the Father and the heart begins to open and grow wider with the passage of time. Until there is an emptiness - a silence - that becomes unbearable.

The miracle of love, God's love, is that it is never exhausted. All I need to do is turn around and step back into His embrace. Repentance is met with grace. And in return there can be only the deepest gratitude.

Thank You Father for:

- the gentle whisper of conviction that never condemns

- times of disappointment

- problems that seem to have no easy solution

- weariness and sickness

- disasters that loomed on the horizon and then disappeared

- the newly poured foundation of our home

- the well, that didn't cost twice what they estimated

- rain

- planes, carried on the wings of prayer, that bring a much loved daughter safely across the ocean and back

- friends that pray

- visits with family

- Old Testament stories that speak today's truths to my heart

- Christmas music

- holidays given true meaning and real joy because of Him

- the anticipation of a visit from a precious granddaughter

- the lightness when the burden is lifted

- forgiveness and grace

linking with Ann's Gratitude Community

Blessings,
Linda

Refreshment for the Soul

"He knoweth what is in the darkness, and the light dwelleth with Him."
Daniel 2:22

"God is too wise not to know all about us, and what is really best for us to be, and to have. And He is too good, not to desire our highest good; and too powerful, desiring, not to effect it. If then, what He has appointed for us does not seem to us the best, or even to be good, our true course is to remember that he sees further than we do, and that we shall understand Him in time, when His plans have unfolded themselves; meanwhile casting all our care upon Him, since He careth for us."
Henry Parry Liddon (1829-1890)

Joining Deidra today to celebrate Sunday:



Blessings,
Linda

If You Love Me

I am writing at Laced With Grace today. It's about nail biting and loving the Lord. Would you come visit me there? Thank you so much

.

Blessings,
Linda

Accountable Forever

When it is time to decide on a new memory verse, I begin leafing through my Bible zeroing in on the verses I've highlighted over the years. Occasionally, though, a verse will pop out at me - one I had somehow overlooked - and it will resonate in my heart.


"The Lord our God has secrets known to no one. We are not accountable for them, but we and our children are accountable forever for all that He has revealed to us, so that we may obey all the terms of those instructions."
Deuteronomy 29:29


My heart beats a little faster when I read it. I have been given the priceless gift of a lifetime of Bible teaching. My parents, Sunday School teachers, Pastors, Bible studies all adding to the store of knowledge. We are privileged to have so much available to us, and we are accountable for all that has been revealed to us.

Having said that, one would think it would be enough to keep us busy. Yet there seems to be more than enough time to not only quibble about the things we do know, but we also seem determined to argue about those secrets known only to God.

We know that we cannot know the mind of God, but something compels us to try anyway. Then when we think we have it figured out, we are ready to take on anyone who disagrees. I am afraid that we sometimes are so consumed with getting it right we miss the mark altogether.

We are to love one another, to care for the poor, to share the gospel in word and deed. Whether or not we like a certain type of music in church doesn't even make the list. Pre-tribulation or Post-tribulation isn't there either.

I think there is a yearning to get back to those things He has revealed to us - to be the church He gave His life to establish. I see it in the young people I worship with. I read it in your posts. I hear it in my Pator's heart.

"This is my commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you."
John 15:12

linking to Emily's imperfect prose






Blessings,
Linda

No Providing

My internet service provider had a bad day and didn't do any "providing" until late tonight. Tomorrow is my day with my Mom - so I will try to catch up with everyone just as soon as I can. And I had such big plans....

Blessings,
Linda

One of the Children

"Why did you bring us out here to die in the wilderness? Weren't there enough graves for us in Egypt? Didn't we tell you this would happen while we were still in Egypt...It's better to be a slave in Egypt than a corpse in the wilderness!"
Exodus 14:11-12

After 450 years of waiting - of fervent, unceasing prayers for deliverance from the cruel bondage in Egypt  - they joyously marched their way to freedom. Of all the answers to prayer, surely this was the greatest they had known. And yet, just days into their journey to the Promised Land the complaining began.

In recent days, I humbly admit, I have stood in their number. Whining and complaining and wishing I could just "go back to Egypt." Yesterday was a particularly trying day, and I was in top form. It was all I could do to pick up my Bible and read where I had left off days ago.

Seated in my little flowered armchair, I was transported to that moment in time when the Children of Israel started what seemed like a perpetual whining about their circumstances. God has a way of getting to the heart of a matter.

We have just come through a season of remarkable blessing - of long awaited answers to prayer that were beyond anything we could have imagined. It was all joy.

It didn't take long, however, for unanticipated problems to surface - and for anxiety to crowd out joy. My focus shifted from Him to the circumstances, and I whined and complained.

He "spoke" to me as I sat surrounded by my worries and fears and reminded me that I had much to be thankful for. There was never a moment when the Children of Israel were separated from His love and protection. They simply had a hard time remembering who He was when what seemed like insurmountable problems stood in their way.

When I walk through days like these, I have a tendency to become immobile. Everything is just too much effort. I make foolish decisions based on my feelings. Yesterday I decided I would shut down the blog...I didn't have anything worthwhile to share.....and if I did, I wouldn't write it well anyway....and on and on.

Today I read...
"After the victory, the Lord instructed Moses,'Write this down on a scroll as a permanent reminder..."
Exodus 17:14

Clearly the Father reminded me of the reason this all began in the first place. I wanted a place to write for Him; a place to pile the stones of remembrance as an altar to His faithfulness.

And so I write.

Blessings,
Linda

Heavy

For some reason, unknown even to my silly self, I have been running from writing this post for the past couple of days. It isn't anything profound or new; it has all been said by others with much greater skill. But the little voice persists.

Heavy

It is all so heavy Lord,
so many needs that
weigh the heart down.
Sickness that has no cure
holding the future of precious lives hostage.
Waiting and hoping that
all we can do will be enough.

And I pray
because You have said "All things are possible."
I wrestle the burden off our shoulders
and lay it at Your feet.
You slip the yoke around my neck
and begin to walk beside me.

You take each need, each cherished soul,
and hold them to Your heart.
You sing softly,
fill bottles with tears
whisper words of love.
You tuck each one safely under Your wings
and gently number the strands;
with Your love You calm all their fears.

And the spirit flies free and weightless
on wings of promise.

linking to Em's imperfect prose:



Blessings,
Linda

His Values

I come to the computer screen eager to read their posts. I am excited for them, thankful for them, praying for them - but, I confess, a part of my heart longs to be part of them. To go somewhere far from all that is familiar and comfortable and do something BIG in His name.

My mind understands that we are not all called to the same thing - of course it does. It understands that prayer is powerful and miraculous and a high calling. It understands that circumstances, those things that truly do come to us through His hands, don't permit all of us to go to those faraway places. It knows that the Father uses both big and small things to accomplish His greater purposes. But still there is this longing heart.

And into this heart He whispers words of love. He tells me of the plan He has for my life and assures me that it is good. He asks that I be content and grateful. He has given more than I can possibly hold in my hands. In my longing to give Him more, I must be careful to calculate it according to His scale. When I give Him all that I am, no matter how insignificant it looks in my eyes, He counts it as priceless. I give Him the gift of my heart, and He asks me to trust that He will use it well.

With contentment and gratitude:

- time spent with a precious daughter

- cool, clear days

- walks

- good books

- discovering a new library

- filling music folders for choir practice

- an evening with the kids and grand-kids

- granddaughter hugs

- the joy in my son's face

- a husband who gives selflessly

- answered prayer

- praying for family and friends

- a "v" of ducks flying overhead

- abundant provision

Linking to Ann's Gratitude Community today

Blessings,
Linda

Five Minute Friday - "We Will Remember"

Today's word is:

Remember

(If you only have five minutes today, please scroll down and listen to the words of Tommy Walker's song rather than reading mine. They are words that will minister to you in a profound way. I'm sure of it.)

We sang it again in choir rehearsal this past wednesday night. It is my favorite Tommy Walker song. It gives me goose-bumps and I can hardly make it through to the end without the tears flowing. It is called "We Will Remember."

As we sing our way through the verses, my mind goes back - back through the years to the time I first met Him - a little girl who wanted so desperately to be sure she raised her skinny little arm every time the invitation to accept Jesus as Savior was given.

Back to a time when, even though I knew Him, I chose to walk the path of my own choosing. A time when I hurt Him with my selfish rebellion and childish anger. Back to a time when He forgave me for even that.

Back to a time when I thought He had finally turned His back and allowed the very worst of my nightmares to come true - to that time when I thought I might walk away for good. I remember how patient He was - how He listened to my angry accusations and bitter complaints against Him - how He loved me anyway. I remember the way He patiently waited and drew me back with love.

stop:



Blessings,
Linda

Don't Quarrel

,

The Old Testament stories are so familiar to so many of us. We have heard them told and retold since we were old enough to sit on those little wooden Sunday School chairs. However, the truth is, no matter how familiar a passage of scripture may have become, if we listen closely the Spirit will whisper something new.

The story of Joseph is one of those familiar ones. I reread it the other day and found a few words I had never noticed before. They were tucked into Genesis 45, the moving scene where Joseph finally reveals his identity to his brothers. He has given them ample provisions for the journey back to Canaan - back to a father who doesn't know that the son he thought dead for so many years is still alive.

As he watches them go, Joseph gives them these parting instructions:

"Don't quarrel about this along the way!"
Genesis 45:24

They had just experienced grace and mercy beyond anything they could have imagined. Thinking they would be dealt with in the severest of ways, they found instead love and forgiveness. This brother, whom they had sold into slavery, had not only forgiven them he had saved their lives and the lives of everyone in their families.
Was it possible they would quarrel about it?

I have learned not to judge the lives of others too harshly. The minute I do, I am reminded of my own failures and failings. All too often they are precisely the ones I find so distasteful in others.

How often have I received grace when I deserved condemnation only to turn right around and begin to grumble and complain about something else? Or the times I have been forgiven only to try to justify my part or blame the whole thing on someone else? Or, having received forgiveness, continue to rehash the past with "if onlys."

Surely there were things the brothers could have quarreled about. Joseph knew that it would do no good to argue about past wrongs. It was a time for new beginnings. He had given them that - a full measure of grace and forgiveness.

Blessings,
Linda

Thanks In the In-between

My eyes have learned to focus
on the blessings
those that stand in stark relief
against the ordinary every day
and those easily overlooked
the ones that hide in the shadows.

My eyes have learned to see
through tears and shattered dreams
to find the blessing hidden
under the heavy pile of
hurts and disappointments
of fear and doubt
of loneliness and despair.

But what of those moments
when the little annoyances
the petty grievances
the little stings of envy
the perceived injustices
cloud my vision?
Can I see through anger and
hurt feelings to the blessings within?

It is true
I have learned to give thanks
in the little and the big.
Help me, Lord,
to have eyes to see the blessing
in the in-between moments
those moments I choose to
look away and see only self
those moments when
my feelings blur my vision
and I cannot see You.

linking to Em's imperfect prose today



Blessings,
Linda