"Unanswered" Prayer

When I woke up this morning, I discovered that some time during the night the petulant child had come and taken up residence in my heart. She looked out the window at the clouds and was disappointed that there was no rain. She began to pray and felt frustrated and discouraged - the same words over and over again, the days running into weeks, the weeks into months and years and still the answer does not come.

The petulant child tried a bit of whining and when that didn't work she tried persuasion. After all she had a good case. These were not frivolous things; they were deep, deep needs - well most of them.

The Father listened (He always does.) Then He began to show her the blessings tucked in around those "unanswered" prayers, and the petulant child was brought up short. She pulled in her lower lip, raised her drooping shoulders and looked into His eyes. And she began to see:

- The prayer for healing, prayed daily for years now, has not been answered.
I have provided wonderful doctors, medicine, and financial provision to help you through.

- The loved one has not returned to the family. It's been a very long time.
I have sustained you with My love and grace and brought others who love and encourage.

- There have been so many unexpected expenses.
I have given you the resources to cover each and every one.

- The house and property have been for sale for such a long time.
You have a home that is comfortable and good.

- There is such heartache for one we love so dearly.
I have loved and sustained this dear one with extravagant grace. I am working all things together for good.

- It hasn't rained in weeks.
I will send the rain - in My time. I have never failed you.

Thank You, Father, for answered prayer.

linking with Ann today at the Gratitude Community



Blessings,
Linda

"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