Thanksgiving 2003

Near Thanksgiving in 2003, we were in a financial pinch. Honestly, we had been in a ‘pinch’ for quite some time. In this season however, we were getting wages garnished for past due medical bills. There were four children at home, and the youngest was a baby.

I had gone to the store for groceries. All of the Thanksgiving celebration items were out on the shelves. I was not worried for food. I knew that we would eat, but there may not be enough for a traditional Thanksgiving meal. As I was walking through the store, I told the Lord something like this, “I know we will have enough food to eat, even if it may not be what some expect on Thanksgiving. If you want us to have a traditional Thanksgiving meal you will provide it. If you want us to have something else than we will have what we have. Thank you for taking care of us.”

After that, I never told anyone about my conversation/prayer with God. I don’t believe I told anyone about the garnishing either. I pretty much didn’t concern myself with it. One evening, a friend of my husband from work came over. (I had not told my husband of the prayer either.) He came to the door with everything that we needed for a Thanksgiving meal plus diapers! He said that he didn’t know why, but he felt that God told him to do it. I did not tell him about the prayer at the time. I told my husband later. It left me in awe of the love and care of God, that he cared about us so much, and that he paid attention to a small and insignificant prayer. I think about it every Thanksgiving.

Phil. 4:19 And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.

Obedience

This morning I got to enjoy a walk in the park. The weather can change from day to day this time of year, but today was perfect for it. I observed a man walking his two dogs. Most of my attention focused on the interaction between the man and one of his dogs. The second dog appeared to be older and calmer. I focused on the younger, more energetic dog.

They got to a place where they began to turn off of the main path. I watched as the dog stayed near his person. I could tell that he really just wanted to go, but he kept looking at the man. His whole body wiggled as he waited. He was careful not to go ahead. He didn’t run in front, and pull the man along. He was very well behaved. As the man slowed down, I noticed the excitement the dog showed, but he continued his good behavior. The face of the dog stayed on the man, waiting. The man then speaks the dog’s name, reaches down and removes the leash. He tells the dog, “go”. He then takes off running and jumping. He was obviously so happy. Shortly afterwards, as I walk by in passing, the dog sees me and runs excitedly my way. The man says the dogs name and he immediately stops and turns back.

This all takes place within a few minutes time. At the very first, before I witnessed the whole interchange, I felt bad for the dog. This was not because the dog was in a bad situation, but because I could see his desire. I could feel that ‘pinned in’ feeling. I wasn’t looking or seeing that just beyond, the master of that dog was about to set him free to go run and play and give him his heart’s desire. I wasn’t looking at the wide open area right before the dog.

When the dog went running after me, I could see his friendliness and desire to interact. It was the great love for his master that caused this dog to obey.

I love how God speaks through everyday events and observations. God has good in store for us. Sometimes we are held back for a time, but it is always for something better. Relationship is important. It is the relationship that we have with the Father, that helps us to obey. Relationships are built through time and interaction. Lord, let me trust you and obey at all times.

20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen Eph. 3:20

Known

There have been times that I have become discouraged in the waiting for God’s promises. Today I am just soaking in the knowledge and awareness that God hears me, sees me, knows me. How amazing is it, that the God of the universe loves us so much as to stop, bend his ear and listen to all the small and insignificant among us. In the challenges of the waiting, I am surrounded by the knowledge that He causes us to wait to grow our faith. We are loved, not forgotten.

 139 O Lord, you have searched me and known me!
2 You know when I sit down and when I rise up;
    you discern my thoughts from afar.
3 You search out my path and my lying down
    and are acquainted with all my ways.
4 Even before a word is on my tongue,
    behold, O Lord, you know it altogether.

The rest of Ps. 139, beyond these four verses, gushes of God’s love and attentiveness to us. In a world where we can feel like just a number, to our creator we are not just a blur in the crowd. Neither to we have to jump and holler for His attention.

Kanye West

When I heard talk about Kanye having a Christian music album coming out, I was curious but cautious. I think many believers felt the same way. Hollywood and pop culture have put out a wishy washy, watered down, and distorted, if not all together subversive version of Christianity repeatedly. That being said, I think his conversion is legitimate. As believers, we have to be willing and prepared to face whatever is thrown our way. He has a lot to lose, and has put himself out there in a place that has not been friendly or supportive to believers. I have a lot of respect for him (and the music…is so good). We need to pray for him and his family.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mr0OwwBwaDc

I’m ready for that new renaissance coming. I’ve been looking, listening for those new sounds. Jesus, pour out those new sounds from the throne!

Vibrant

In recent weeks, I’ve been thinking about the visible changes of the season. There are certain older areas in our town, in which the trees form an arch over the streets. The changing colors of autumn leaves, coupled with the old style street lamps, are beautiful. 1 Peter 1:24-25 had also been going through my head.

“All people are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of the Lord endures forever.” NIV

In the summer, when the trees are in full green, I am most often looking at the beauty of the tree as a whole. It isn’t until the leaves begin to change and die, that greater attention is drawn to the leaves themselves. In the dying they become more vibrant and individually distinguishable.

Last week, I was noticing how the warm colors of freshly fallen leaves compliment the gold and green patched dying grass. There were big and small leaves scattered all around. Some were curly. Some were flat. Some were more torn than others. In my heart I heard, “Embrace the hurt. Embrace the pain. Let it do it’s work. Don’t run from it.” It is in the dying to self, that we are becoming more vibrant. We are becoming gold. I thought of how many times I have heard people say or ask, “How could a loving God allow suffering…(or insert other pain here)?” I have asked why myself on more than one occasion.

The people that I have looked up to and admired the most throughout my life, are those who have endured hard things. They have had their character stretched and shaped by hardship. Depth of character is etched with sharp tools. God wants us to let the pain drive us to him, so he can chisel off our barbed edges. He wants to bring out the gold.

High Winds

Changing seasons and high winds go hand in hand. My son came over this afternoon. When I opened the door, I noticed the neighbor’s trash can in my yard. The contents were spread out, decorating the front of the house. No, it wasn’t the neighbor’s fault. It’s just a product of the season. Beautiful, colorful leaves are also filling the ground.

Weeks ago I opened this blog account. For one reason or another I didn’t get it going. I have been piddling around, wondering if I what I had to say would come out right. It seems that I’ve been in a long period of transition, and at times it’s been messy. In the crazy stuff of life, there’s always some mess to clean up. There’s always something that needs to be done.

With the cooler temperatures, I can feel Autumn is here. I’m ready to step into the new season, and all that these winds have been blowing in. Here’s to just jumping in.