Warren

He entered our lives at a time
when we needed
to see God's love
to feel His touch
to know He heard and cared.

An ordinary Grandfatherly man,
the outer covering for a heart like His
listening to my fears
speaking words of comfort and wisdom
wrapping me in a warm embrace.

Called to minister to others
the years slipped quietly by
the telephone ringing one afternoon
that gentle voice from the past
running back to those out-stretched arms.

My contribution to One Stop Poetry.

Blessings,
Linda

Jack (Zoom)

This is Jack. He lives just up the road "a piece," and I pass by his house when I go for my walk. Several goats used to live there too, but Jack is all alone these days. I think he is feeling rather lonely.

When the goats were there, he pretty much ignored me when I walked by and shouted out a cheery "Hi Jack!" He was the one in charge and was quite independent. However loneliness took a toll, and he began to acknowledge my presence.

One day I pulled up a handful of long grass growing along the side of the road and offered him a little snack. He munched it right down, apparently savoring the addition to his usual diet of hay. Thus began a little routine of Jack walking along the fence-line when he saw me coming, waiting for his snack.

If ever I was lost in thought and walked by without stopping, I would be startled out of my reverie by the loudest braying you have ever heard. That miniature donkey was not about to be ignored.

Jack has modeled something I have been pondering in recent months. Seeking and persevering. He has understood that I can give him something he cannot get for himself, and he waits patiently for me to provide it. If I seem to forget, he loudly, persistently reminds me that he needs it.

The Lord has told me to seek Him. He alone has everything that I need. He is always there, unchanging and faithful. It is up to me to go to Him. There may be times when it seems He has passed me by, but He has told me to be persistent in prayer. He hears and answers prayer.

If I, flawed and weak in so many ways, care enough about a little donkey to stop and gather grass or carry an apple in my pocket to give him, how much more does my heavenly Father care for me?

This picture of Jack is my contribution to Claire's prompt Zoom.
The devotional is my contribution to Emily's tuesdays unwrapped.




Blessings,
Linda

Guidance

On Monday morning I will be posting at Laced With Grace. A few thoughts on traffic congestion and guidance.

Please join me there.

Blessings,
Linda

Unexpected

I love to travel, but I never look forward to the plane ride. I'm not afraid. Well, to be more precise, I'm not afraid of flying. I'm afraid I will get motion sickness and make a fool of myself in front of whatever poor soul decided to take the empty seat beside me.

It wasn't always that way, but in recent years I begin to get a funny feeling in my stomach the minute I set foot in the airport terminal. I suppose it's all in my head, since my feet haven't actually left the ground yet, but I definitely feel it in my stomach. I have never actually gotten sick on a plane, but there have been times I wanted to kneel down and kiss the ground when we landed.

The flight to Salt Lake City wasn't bad. Once we got above the clouds it was smooth sailing, and I actually ate the "sumptuous" snack the nice flight attendant brought to me and had a diet coke. That didn't mean I wasn't counting the seconds until we could land, but I was doing fairly well.

It always seems to be a bit rocky when the plane descends through the clouds (and they look so fluffy and innocent!), and this time was no exception. Still doing okay. The flight attendants announced they would be coming around to make a final sweep through for any items we needed to throw away. Almost there. We could see Utah below us - clear and beautiful.

The pilot's voice shattered the illusion of a peaceful landing. He encouraged us to put our seat belts on and informed us that the flight attendants would not be making a final sweep after all. He wanted them in their seats, belts fastened.

Unseen currents began to bounce the plane around like a little toy. One of the flight attendants cheerfully reminded us that there were "sick bags" in the seats in front of us (just in case, you understand). I closed my eyes, prayed and hung on for dear life. After what seemed like an eternity, we bounced our way down onto the runway and landed safely.

In those moments when I was fighting to keep that silly snack in my stomach, I thought about how much this reminded me of life in general. We go along quite happily knowing full well there will be occasional bumps in the road - just as there are bumps when the plane slides down through the clouds. It's those unexpected currents that really throw us for a loop. Everything seems to be going so well when out of nowhere we are hit with the unexpected. It could be anything from a financial loss to the death of a loved one; an accident or the loss of a job.

When it comes, whatever it is, it sends us reeling and just holding on for dear life. On the plane, I had to follow the pilot's instructions and trust that He was in control and would get us safely down to earth. So it is in my life. I have the Father's word - filled with instructions for getting through the difficult times and promises of His faithfulness. Promises that never fail. My part is to be obedient and to trust.

It seems so simple, and yet I often find that my first reaction is to be anything but obedient and trusting. I want out; I want answers; I want it to be all better - now please. In reality, I am as helpless to do anything about my circumstances as I would have been trying to land that plane. It would have been beyond foolish to even try when there was someone so capable in control.

Ah yes, we have a Father who is more than capable of handling anything that comes into our lives. After all, nothing comes to us that does not first pass through His hands - hands that lovingly draw us to Himself. He will not only take care of us in the storm, He will bring us safely through to a place of greater blessing.

"Do not fear for I am with you; do not anxiously look about you for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand."
Isaiah 41:10

Blessings,
Linda

I Stand In Awe Of You

Hillsong United - I Stand In Awe Of You

by Hillsong United


You are beautiful beyond description
Too marvelous for words
Too wonderful of comprehension
Like nothing ever seen or heard
Who can grasp you infinite wisdom
Who can fathom the depth of your love
You are beautiful beyond description
Majesty enthroned above


And I stand, I stand in awe of you
I stand, I stand in awe of you
Holy God to whom all praise is due
I stand in awe of you.

My heart cries thank you - to the One who created the heavens and the earth; who placed the stars in space and gave each one a name; who made every creature - unique and intricate; who loves us with an everlasting love.




Blessings,
Linda

linking to Ann's Gratitude Community

Majestic

"O Lord, our Lord, How majestic is Thy name in all the earth!"
Psalm 8:9


























A few pictures from our vacation. My heart was overwhelmed at the magnificence of His handiwork.

Have a blessed holiday weekend!
Linda

Seek

"And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart."
Jeremiah 29:13

She calls herself a seeker,
and it pierces my heart.
For the familiar word has,
for many weeks now,
become confusing
as only words taken for granted
sometimes can.

It has haunted me -"seek."
How do I seek You Lord -
And how with my whole heart?

Will I find You in Your word,
Or in time spent in prayer?
Will I see You in creation,
or the faces that I pass?

I hear the words in worship,
"Here in Your presence,
I will seek Your face."*
And I long to see You,
To hear Your voice
and feel Your touch.

How will I seek You, Lord?


*"Here In Your Presence" Dennis Jernigan


This is my post for Emily's Imperfect Prose.




Blessings,
Linda