His Gentle Whisper

At the last moment I picked up the little book of spiral index cards filled with memory verses and stepped outside to begin my walk. I was walking alone, so I decided to start at the very beginning and recite as many as could out loud. I think the neighbors are used to seeing me talking to myself as I walk along our little country road. They wave anyway.

There are some verses that, meaningful at the time, still hit my heart with great force. I am reminded once again of my Father's faithfulness and unfailing love - the way He never fails to meet me right where I am.

Walking down the little hill toward home I came to I Kings 19: 11,12. The words, spoken out loud, caused my heart to beat just a little faster. I felt the tears start. They came in answer to questions my heart had been asking. Questions about devastating earthquakes, tsunamis, unimaginable suffering and where are You Father in all of that?

"...and as Elijah stood there the Lord passed by, and a mighty windstorm hit the mountain. It was such a terrible blast that the rocks were torn loose, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind, there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake there was a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And the after the fire, there was the sound of a gentle whisper."

In my own simple way (which may certainly be lacking in sound theology) I heard the Spirit say that the Lord is there in Japan, His gentle whisper speaking, as only He can, to those who are suffering in unimaginable ways. He moves quietly, lovingly with tender mercy and grace. And gently He calls us to reach out in love that He might touch lives through us.



Linking to Emily's imperfect prose today.

Blessings,
Linda

Words

I know the words
say the words
hide them
in my heart.
Study the words
discuss the words
sing them
with my heart.
Dream the words
write the words
And share them
from my heart.

It comes to me
through His hands;
bends me to my knees.
Believe the words?
Live the words?
Is what He asks of me.

My poem for One Stop Poetry.

Blessings,
Linda

Knit Together

I am a knitter. My Aunt Fannie taught me to knit when I was just a little girl. From time to time I do other kinds of handwork, but there is something about knitting that always draws me back. A peace settles over me as the needles pass through the yarn, clicking softly, forming stitches. There is a sense of fulfillment as the stitches begin to form themselves into a pattern and the project takes shape...

The rest of this little story is over at Laced With Grace this morning. I would be so honored to meet you over there.

Blessings,

Linda

Gains and Losses: Giving Thanks

Counting the gifts and in the process discovering that everything that comes to me comes directly from the Father's hands.

There have been moments when I've questioned that. Everything? Directly? Even the new cell phone (for which I am so grateful)? Well yes - even that. He was the one who gifted someone with the ability to dream up something so innovative. He provided the way for the dream to take form. He supplied the resources for me to be able to purchase it.

They are sometimes like tangled balls of yarn, these gifts. I work at the knots and twists, stretching out the strands and find they all lead straight back to the Father's hands. Hands that open wide to draw me in, and I run to Him. I embrace the gifts.

But what of those things that don't seem like gifts at all? Those things that bring pain and sorrow and loss. Is it possible that these too pass through the hands of a loving God? I take up these balls of yarn and with trembling hands work at the mess that has brought me to the depths of despair. The thread plays out, and I find myself standing before those outstretched hands.

I am faced with a choice. Will I embrace these as gifts too? Will I believe that He is good and loving? Will I trust that His word is true and that He will somehow weave these threads into something beautiful? Or will I turn and walk away, refusing to acknowledge that He is trustworthy?

I have been in that place. I have had a season of walking away. I have learned that there is, for me, no other place to go. I have turned around, stepped into that embrace and found that He is love. He has taken the gifts I scorned and turned them into priceless treasure. They have not changed in outward appearance, but they have given birth to something in my heart that could only come from His hands.

He gives good gifts - always, and I embrace them:

77- delicate flowers on the Crown of Thorns plant - a reminder that there are different kinds of
gifts
78- Leonard - a timid, gentle dog who likes nothing better than to just be with the family


79 - deer, deer everywhere!



80-sparkling lake set between rolling hills
81-the wind whipping up white caps

82- wild plum trees blooming - brilliant splash of purple


83-a crisp, clear sunny day - the humidity all blown away
84- Lisa home safely from Paris
85- Mom and Dad back to their Sunday School class and feeling well
86- He dipped His brush and painted the sky in every shade of blue imaginable, then added a
few wisps of white around the edges
87- medicine delivered in just two days - a little miracle in answer to prayer
88- the grace and patience of my dear piano teacher
89- windows open to fresh breezes
90- the smell of fresh air filling the house
91- brilliant stars on a black cloth spread across heaven
92- a little bit of rain
93- heavy winds in the night; safely cocooned in the RV
94- evening walks
95- a new knitting project
96- the gift of beautiful yarn
97- taking family to our church
98- dinner with family and friends
99- granddaughters' birthdays
100- discovering a new yarn shop - all the beautiful yarn!
101- eating lunch outdoors at a little restaurant
102- listening to my sister-in-law tell stories - a master story-teller
103- overwhelming need and a God who is sufficient
104- husband doing the vacuuming and power-washing the house to a sparkling white
105- the comfort of home and my own bed
106- devastating tragedy; knowing God is in control
107- when there is nothing I can do - prayer
108- a brilliant sliver of moon
109- new beginnings
110- the Savior who connects our hearts
111- a "real" letter in the mailbox
112- encouragement
113- filling folders with music
114- perfect spring days
115- the way His word speaks to my heart
116- seeing the things that need to change and knowing there is grace
117- a pretty silk scarf
118- love and grace extended when there could have been anger and resentment
119- getting the wrong day for an appointment and being graciously seen anyway
120- sitting by the fire at our favorite little restaurant for lunch
121- colorful little rugs for the kitchen and hall
122- new piano music - hymns!
123- the sun room
124- new cell phone
125- sitting on the front porch with my sister-in-law
126- little birds coming to the birdbath for a drink and a little bath
127- butterflies dancing
128- birdsong
129- the click of knitting needles
130- Mountain Laurel blooming
131- oak leaves raining down, covering the lawn - the old making way for the new
132- blowing my diet (oh those French cookies!); a new start today

Joining the gratitude community at Ann's to give thanks to the One who loves us lavishly.



Blessings,
Linda

"The Old Rugged Cross"

"I was praying for a full understanding for the cross and its plan in
Christianity. I read and studied and prayed. I saw Christ and the Cross
inseparably. The Christ of the Cross became more than a symbol… it was like
seeing John 3:16 (For God so loved the world, He gave His only begotten Son,
that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting
life.") leave the printed page, take form and act out on the meaning of
redemption. While watching this scene with my mind's eye, the theme of the
song came to me, and with it the melody." —Rev. George Bennard

George Bennard was born in Youngstown, Ohio on February 4, 1873. He was saved while attending a revival meeting sponsored by the Salvation Army. At the age of sixteen, after the death of his father, George assumed the responsibility for his mother and four sisters.

When those responsibilities lessened he married. Both he and his wife served as officers in the Salvation Army until the time George felt the call to evangelism. He became a traveling evangelist for the Methodist church and traveled throughout Canada and North and Central America preaching the good news of the gospel.

It was during this time that he wrote the hymn "The Old Rugged Cross." It was first published in 1915. After it's publication, which was received with great enthusiasm, George went on to preach for forty more years. He died in 1958 at the age of eighty-five.

THE OLD RUGGED CROSS

On a hill far away, stood an old rugged cross,
The emblem of suff'ring and shame;
And I love that old cross where the dearest and best
For a world of lost sinners was slain.

Oh, that old rugged cross so despised by the world
Has a wondrous attraction for me;
For the dear Lamb of God left his glory above,
To bear it to dark Calvary.

In the old rugged cross, stained with blood so divine,
A wondrous beauty I see;
For 'twas on that old cross Jesus suffered and died,
To pardon and sanctify me.

To the old rugged cross I will ever be true,
Its shame and reproach gladly bear;
Then he'll call me some day to my home far away,
Where his glory forever I'll share.

So I'll cherish the rugged cross,
Till my trophies at last I lay down'
I will cling to the old rugged cross,
And exchange it some day for a crown.




Blessings,
Linda

This Day

We stood in the driveway this morning waving good-bye as the big RV pulled out and headed north. We will see them one more time before they begin the journey home, but good-byes are always sad.

Just an hour or so before they left we heard the news about the terrible earthquake and tsunami in Japan. An unimaginable disaster coming suddenly in the middle of an ordinary day. A day that must have seemed like any other. No need to mark the minutes or do the one thing you would regret leaving undone; no need to say the things that pressed most heavily on your heart. There would be time enough.

As the RV made the turn out of sight I thought about the time we had spent together. In light of the tragedy in Japan, those hours took the form of a precious gift. The conversations around the kitchen table, the long walks, the laughter - all priceless treasure.

I am learning to walk more slowly through my days, to cherish the ordinary moments. I am given this one day. If I have eyes to see, with my focus more outward than inward; if I listen more than I speak; if my heart is turned toward Him, I will live it to its fullest.

Blessings,
Linda

Unchanging

"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever."
Hebrews 13:8

They are the first to arrive every spring. One morning the lawn looks just as it has all winter, brown and dry, and the next morning there they are all dressed in purple and white. Quietly in the dark night hours they poked tiny heads up through the sleeping soil to announce the changing of the seasons.

Every year my spirit fills with joy to see them. They are a sweet reminder of the faithfulness and unchanging character of God.

Winter may last for a season, but spring will always follow. My circumstances may grow dark and heavy, but His promises never fail. As surely as these tiny bits of life bloom every spring - so will He faithfully be all He has promised to be in our lives. He will never leave us or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5). He has good plans for our lives (Jeremiah 29:11). He loves us (John 17:23). His grace is sufficient (II Cor. 12:9). He will never change (Hebrews 13:8).

I don't like change. It underlines the truth that I am not in control of things. Of course I'm not, but there is One who is, and He is faithful. I look with joy at these little bundles of life. They are reminders that my Father will always take very good care of me.

"Summer and winter and springtime 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!"*

*"Great Is Thy Faithfulness"
Thomas Chisholm

Blessings,
Linda

I will be gone for about a week. Company's comin'!!