Open Up

 "And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway from the water, and lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove and coming upon him"

Matthew 3:16

As the world continues to move forward from the pandemic, I consistently hear the term, “Open Up”.  It seems like the more people can be vaccinated; more establishments seem to be “opening up”.  I hear this in a variety of contexts:

·         Opening a place that may have had to be closed this past year.

·         Opening so more people may be able to enter.

·         Opening different parts of an establishment that may have had to be closed but can now reopen.

People are also using this term from an entire region perspective – Europe is opening up, or the United States is opening up.  When I think of this term, many visuals come into play.  Doors to restaurants opening.  Regions opening their borders to other visitors.  The images have certainly varied, but it has always been a strong vision of invitation.

I cannot help but make the correlation to our Heavenly Father.  He “opens up” the gates of heaven – not just for Jesus upon His baptism, but for all of us.   Jesus certainly deserves to have the gates of heaven open for him, for heaven is His home.  When the Holy Spirit descended upon Jesus, He came directly from heaven.  What a beautiful sight that must have been.  The good news is that the gates of heaven will one day open for each one of us.  Just as God opened them for Jesus, He will open them for us.  He will open up heaven for our eternal home.  What an invitation that is!

Yet, I also think of Jesus’ arms opening up for us.  He is there, arms open wide, to receive us in whatever state we are in.  Whether we are happy or sad, joyous or troubled, celebrating or anxious, His arms are open wide to us – accepting us where we are.

“Our Master Jesus has his arms wide open for you.”  1 Corinthians 16:23

Let us remember that it is not just about Jesus’ opening his arms to us, but we should also be opening our arms to others – to those that need a helping hand, to those that need prayers, to those that need love.  May we be Jesus’ arms here on earth to each other – opening up ourselves to do the work that Jesus has intended us to do.

As we go about our day, and our country and establishments within the country open up, may we be reminded of the Great “I Am” who is always waiting for us with open arms and open gates.  May we rest in the assurance that through our days, Jesus is right there with us, holding us in those open arms.  The confidence that blessing shares brings a smile to my face and warmth to my heart.  May we also be the open arms to others.

Dearest Jesus, thank you for being the open arms for us.  As you have graciously opened up for us, may we open up to others and bring them the help and peace that is needed.  In your loving arms we rest, Amen!

A Father's Love

"For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children, encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worth of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory."

1 Thessalonians 2:11-12

Reaching back into my memories on this Father’s Day, I find myself thinking of not only my own father, but those around me who have been dads.  My brother, a childhood friend’s dad, an elder from our church are all examples of great dads.  I have also met quite a few dads throughout my professional career.  Of course, there is my own husband who is a wonderful dad.  Each person, as different as they are, also has a different persona when it comes to being a dad.  Everyone parents differently – yes, even dads!

I reflect on our verse for today and my own dad.  He was encouraging and ensuring we were following a path that was worthy (I think the comforting was left to Mom ~~).  My dad was the disciplinarian.  Now, of course, I understand the value of that discipline.  Then, not so much.  Yet, when I think of my dad, he was a teacher not only in the public school system, but with his children.  He taught us the love for nature and for gardening, for treating every person with respect, for loving God in a simple way.  He encouraged us always to do the same. 

I have met people who have shared that their father may not have been the encouraging/comforting parent, and they have carried that disappointment with them through their lives.   We all set expectations, not just of fathers, but all people, who may not live up to those expectations.  Those expectations may be set on what we see in the media, through other folks, or what we craft in our hearts.  Yet, there are times when those expectations do not come to fruition, and disappointment can surround us.

I share with those that are filled with disappointment, and for all of us, that we ALWAYS have a father who is encouraging and comforting – our Dear Lord.  When we let God fill our hearts and our souls, when we read His Book, we find the encouragement he provides us through the Holy Spirit.  We find his comfort is available to us when our life is tough to bear.  We hear his calling for living a life worthy of Him.  We know and feel His love.  God will always be our True Father.

As we celebrate Father’s Day, may we not only remember our earthy fathers, who guide us through this life on earth.  Let us also remember the Father who created us, loves us, encourages us, and guides us.  To my own father who is seated at the heavenly table, I give thanks and miss him every day!  Happy Father’s Day to all!

Dearest Lord, thank you for our earthly fathers and for the guidance they provide us each day.  May we never forget who our True Father is and provide praise and worship to you!  Your love surrounds us all the days of our lives.  Amen!

Simple Beauty

 "But the Lord said to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him.  The Lord does not look at the things people look at.  People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart."

1 Samuel 16:7

They say that beauty is in the eyes of the beholder.  I have been extremely fortunate throughout my years to have seen much beauty.  I am continuously awed and amazed at the beauty our Dear Lord put on this earth.  From the clouds in the sky to the green of the grass, from the blue of the water to the majestic mountains, I believe God’s beauty is all around us.  This past weekend, my husband and I had the good fortune to go to Burlington, Vermont, on the coast of Lake Champlain.  The beauty of the lake up against the mountains was breathtaking.

As we were sitting on the banks of the lake, I could not help but think of the simple beauty God has provided to us.  Yes, He has given us beauty in nature, yet there is other simple beauty that I know I may not always take the time to appreciate.  The beauty of someone’s smile.  The beauty of someone’s laugh.  The beauty of shared tears and shared dreams.  Each of us has a simple beauty that is there for someone to see.  The beauty may lie in our imperfections.  The beauty may lie in our dreams.  Have you ever wondered if someone sees our own beauty?  Not the outward beauty, like nature, but the inward beauty of our soul.  There are times when I am sure all of us have felt unnoticed or not valued.

Brothers and sisters, let me share the truth of simple beauty.  We each have a wonderful simple beauty that is ours and ours alone.  That simple beauty is recognized by the one who created us with that beauty and cherishes our beauty, God.  Just as we appreciate the wonderful beauty He created; He revels in our beauty every minute.  I can imagine God looking down upon each of us and saying, “Their beauty is breathtaking,” just as we say when we look at His creation.

The next time you see a beautiful sunset or a majestic mountain range, take time to thank God for the beauty He gave us.  May we also take time to thank God for the beautiful people that surround us every day.  Look for each person’s simple beauty and see that person through God’s eyes.  That simple beauty may manifest in a laugh, a tear, words of encouragement or even silence.  Appreciate what God has created in that person, look for the beauty in their heart.

Dear Lord, let us pause throughout our days to appreciate your creation – not just in nature, but also within each other.  Help me to see the simple beauty in everyone I meet and may I hold that beauty in my own soul and heart.  In your beautiful name I pray, Amen!

Nothing At All

 

“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, not any powers, neither height nor depth, not anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Romans 8:38-39

Disappointment.  There have been many times when disappointment surrounded me.  Disappointment at home, at work, with relationships, with opportunities.  Disappointment can cut deep – sometimes to our very souls.  When someone or something disappointments me, I believe the sting is even greater than when I am mad about a certain situation.  Think about a time when someone disappointed you.  It may have been something small like they cancelled plans we were looking forward to, or it may have been something larger like, “I no longer love you”.  Disappointment is real and it hurts.

Depending on who is disappointing us or what the disappointment is, we may react differently.  If it is a ‘first time’ disappointment, we may “forgive and forget”.  If we have been disappointed by this person repeatedly, we may find ourselves holding a grudge for a bit longer.  If we have come to the final disappointment, it may mean that we sever the relationship all together, as resentment sets in. 

As I was thinking about this week’s post, I thought about the many times I have disappointed Jesus.  My words, my actions, my thoughts, all leave me less than the image He created me in.  There have been times when His disappointment should be minimal, maybe words that hurt someone’s feelings momentarily.  There have been other times when I made poor choices repeatedly.  I am sure Jesus is asking, “Why does she continue to walk in an inappropriate path.”  Of course, there are the actions that result in Jesus being justified to turn His back on me completely.

Yet, our Lord does not turn His back.  Every poor choice, every biting word, every horrible action is wiped away, no longer to exist.  Jesus does not hold a grudge.  Jesus does not resent me.  Jesus died on the cross so that my sins, each one, is made to not exist anymore.  His forgiveness pours upon me.  More importantly, His love wraps me in a blanket of hope and salvation.  Nothing, no matter what I say or what I do, separates me from Jesus.  He is always there for me, even in my darkest hour.

Repenting for our sins, those known and those unknown, gives us God’s forgiveness.  May we learn from those sins and work towards establishing the image God made us in.  We will never be perfect, but we can strive to be better.  Knowing that no matter what I do or say, nothing will come between me and my Jesus, makes my life complete.  Join me in repentance and love.

Dearest Jesus, thank you for never giving up on me.  No matter how many times I must disappoint you, you are still waiting for me with your love, forgiveness, and hope.  Help me to see my sins and steer my thoughts and actions towards those that align with you.  In you ever-loving name I pray.  Amen.