Seeing Clearly

 

I sat on an old bench near the back of our property yesterday.  We have the good fortune to have the river in our backyard.  As I gazed on the stillness of the river, I was reminded back to when we first moved here over 25 years ago.  Whether I was in the kitchen looking over the backyard or walking around the property, you could see the river clearly.  Nothing obstructed the view.

Twenty-five years later and as suspected, much has changed.  The trees are larger and more mature.  In all their beautiful glory, they tend to become a barrier to a clear picture of the river.  That is, until you get closer and look between the trees and the bushes to see the beauty of the water.  One of the reasons we moved to this house was to be on the water.  Although we do not see it as clearly as we used to, it is still there with all its beauty.

Sitting on the bench, and seeing with clarity, brought me to Jesus.  There are many times when we see Jesus with such clarity.  We see the “red words”’ of the Bible come to life in our lives.  Perhaps the clarity is seen in answered prayers.  Maybe we clearly see Jesus in the wonder of the world around us.  There are always the miracles around us where we see Jesus here on earth – healing, love, birth, blessings.  Those are times when our eyes are upon the Lord.

There are also times when our view is more obstructed, like the mature trees.  Our days are busy, and we do not have ‘a chance’ to see the red words of the Bible.  We need to run off to work or errands and our prayer time can ‘wait for another day’, never mind being still enough to see prayers answered.  The beauty of the flock of turkeys in the middle of the road becomes an annoyance as it puts us a few minutes behind.  The simplicity of every day blessings gets hindered.  I am guilty of this, are you?

My friends, life does get busy.  Between work, errands, family commitments, and school – the list can go on and on.  We can fill our lives, or we can have our lives filled.  When we clearly see Jesus, our lives are filled.  By having simple faith that Jesus will ensure everything we need to do gets done, we can rest by spending time seeing Him clearly.  By ensuring our view to Jesus is not impeded, we are able to see Him and His love for us clearly. 

Get that clear river view of Jesus.  Do not let the mature trees of life stop us from seeing His blessings and His glory.  Give thanks to the Lord for the clarity you have, and may it deepen your faith, the simple faith, which seeing Jesus face-to- face will one day be our reward.

Dearest Jesus, help us to see you clearly in all the moments of our days.  Help us to put aside the things that obstruct our vision and move us to focus on you.  Provide us the simple faith that you are the brightest light for us to follow.  Amen!

Craving Cardinal

 

If you look very closely (I’m not the best picture taker), you can see a cardinal at the bird feeder.  This is in our backyard.  This “craving cardinal” comes every day.  Sometimes it is in the morning, other times, in the evening.  Yet, he never misses a meal at the bird feeder.  I don’t put anything special in my bird feeder, yet this lovely must crave something special because he shows up faithfully.

I love to watch him when he arrives.  He always is gracious to let the other birds dine with him – he never scoots them away (like the blue jays do).  He’s willing to share and gets his fill as he flies off.  Every day, a smile comes over my face as I watch him.  Many people believe that cardinals represent a loved one who has passed on.  I’m not sure if it is true or not, but I do speak to this pretty bird like I was speaking with my dad.

Watching this bird made me think of my own nourishment.  Every day, like the cardinal, I find my way to my cup of coffee and items to nourish my body.  Ensuring my family had home cooked and nutritious meals while they were all at home was a priority for me.  This has not stopped.  I do my best to ensure those that are at our table are fed well. 

There is another nourishment, though, that is far more important than food – it is the nourishment of my soul.  As the cardinal comes to feed each day, I should be feeding upon the Lord’s word in devotion each day.  As good as I am about ensuring a nutritious meal is on my table, I regretfully share that I may not be as good at getting my nourishment from Jesus.  Typically, I try to dive into devotion in the morning before my day starts – feeding my soul for the day.  Some days, though, I find other priorities entering that space.  “I need to get to work early today”, or “I don’t feel like taking the time,” or worst, “It’s okay if I miss a day”.

I don’t know about you, but one day without nourishing my soul leaves me hungry and thirsty.  As Jesus says, He is the bread of life.  If we get filled up with Him, our earthly needs will be met by him.  My days are better when He is the focus, when He drives my thoughts.  Left to my own accord, it goes wrong.  Let’s be like the cardinal, craving nourishment for our soul every day – no excuses!!  We will be filled up beyond measure.

Dearest Jesus, thank you for being our bread of life.  Help us to crave the nourishment only you can provide.  May we recognize the importance and value of being with you every day.  Let us be filled and share with others the good news. Amen!

Shine the Light

 

New Hampshire didn’t see much snow this past winter.  For some people, they may be shouting a resounding “Yea”.  Yet, for our area of the country little snow can cause a problem.  As we moved from winter to spring, the amount of rainfall we received in April, May and June was lighter than normal – causing drought conditions.  This is tough for many reasons, but especially the nearby farmlands that need the rain.  Then we entered July!  God must have heard all the praying for rain, and he didn’t disappoint.  We have had record rainfall this month, and we haven’t hit August yet!  The sunlight seems to be few and far between.

On those brief occasions when the sun shines, it is glorious!  The sun starts peeking through the clouds and lights up the earth.  One turns their face to the sun to feel that light on their skin, soaking up the energy the sun seems to bring.  I’ve noticed when the sun is shining, people are smiling.  Their dispositions are brighter and there is a pep in their step.  The sun brings joy.  When the sun shines after the rain, it always reminds me of our verse for today.

We are Jesus’ light here on earth.  When we shine the light that Jesus gives to us, so many great things occur:

• We can create the peek of sun is someone else’s darkness.
• We can bring a smile to someone’s dismal strife.
• We can share joy for someone’s sadness.
• We can provide hope to the hopeless.

Being the light of the world is a responsibility that we should all take on with conviction.  In a world that seems to be darkened with discontent and hatred, be the light to shine goodness.  If each one of us takes on this responsibility, we can be the “town on the hill” that cannot be hidden.  Our light isn’t just a reflection of us, it is THE reflection of Jesus!  Our light, when shined brightly, is Jesus shining through us.  How do we shine this light?  There is no better way than with words and actions; ensuring our words are filled with compassion and humility; ensuring our actions are filled with offering and hope.  Compassion, humility, offering and hope – isn’t that Jesus?  Doesn’t He provide all those to us?  Then we should be able to provide all those to others.  Be the light of the world – let Jesus’ light shine.

Dearest Jesus, help us to remember we are YOUR light – to shine in this world.  Remind us that our words and actions can light up our world with compassion, humility, offering and hope.  In times of darkness may we be the town on the hill shining to all, letting people know that YOU are the reason for our light.  In your shining name we pray.

Moments of Darkness

 

I woke up in the middle of the night and knew that something was wrong, something seemed to be “out of place”. I sat in bed for a few moments and realized there was no humming of the ceiling fan, no gentle rumble of the air conditioning, no dim light from the electronic devices.  I got out of bed and opened the blind.  There it was as I had suspected – pitch black darkness.  The power had gone off.  I checked other neighbors’ homes that tend to have a dimly lit outside light on and nothing. 

In that moment, it was eerily dark and quiet.  Even the stars were not shining as the clouds had overtaken them.  No light, only total darkness.  Although I knew the light of day was just a few hours away, it seemed a bit bleak to look out and not see a glimpse of light.

My mind immediately took me to many nights in my life when there did not seem to be any light.  The power may not have gone off, but the circumstances seemed to leave me in total darkness, not seeing any light at all – similar to this evening of no power.  My journey with cancer had many dark nights.  The chemo, for some reason, gave me insomnia.  I would be up at all hours of the night – exhausted but unable to sleep.  Those nights seemed incredibly dark, not knowing what the future would hold and if I would be able to see my babies grow up – their proms, their graduations, their weddings, their babies.  My journey of my first marriage ending had many dark nights, playing over and over in my head why this was not working.  There were many others that had me experiencing total darkness. 

Many of us have had these experiences, wondering if we would feel any light in a time of our lives when only darkness seemed to surround us.  This incredible verse today provides us the vision that our lives are not lived in total darkness, no matter how dreary the future seems to be.  We get to live our lives knowing that we are never alone in our darkness.  We have a savior who came into our world so that our darkness would always have a beacon of light.  We believe and we are blessed. We believe and we are saved.  We believe and we have eternal light.

Jesus came into this world so that we would not have to live in darkness.  His “power” is always on!  His light is always shining.  His beacon is always visible.  His light is for everyone who believes.  When our world is dark, and it will be, we have the One who shines among the darkness.  With this assurance, we know that our dark world will pass, and the light will once again shine, to us and from us.  Have faith my friends, simple faith, that the Lord who died on the cross for our sins is the same Lord who shines in our darkness.  May your faith live in Jesus’ light.

Dearest Jesus, how grateful we are that our darkest nights can turn into the lightest of days because of you.  With simple faith in the great I AM, we are able to walk through the dark towards the light that only you can shine.  May I remember this during dark times and know that you are always with me.  In your bright name I pray, Amen!

Family Reunion

 

I skipped a week of posting last week.  I hope you all agree with me that it was for a good reason.  We had a family reunion.  Cousins reuniting with cousins.  Granddaughter/great granddaughter being shared with the family for the first time.  New members of the family joining us.  It was an incredible day.  As the mother getting this wonderful opportunity to sit back and watch all the interactions (between serving food 😊), I had the good fortune to reflect on this moment, what God has brought together.

As we gathered out on the deck, I thought about how each person came to be.   Each situation was different.  Some met in high school, others at work.  Some met on land, others at sea.  Some came from traditional families; others came together after divorce.  All came together out of love.  Each person was there because someone loved another.  Each person was there because they loved each other.  All the family members have been there in times of adversity.

I found this passage from Proverbs to mirror the situation perfectly.  As we celebrated our family that day, there has also been heartache, times of trials and tribulations.  When I think back upon those times, family members have been there for each other, holding each other’s hands, providing comfort and guidance.  Being a member of this family means being there for it all, the good and the bad, the joy and the difficulties, the despair, and the hope.  It is about being present for all the experiences.

There is only One who could weave together this group of people.  There is only One who could have the right people meet each other.  There is only One who could bring individuals to a place called home.  That One is God.  Through His hand and by His wisdom, our family was created.  I am amazed when I think of that – of how we all came to be!  He has blessed our family, and I am certain has blessed your family as well.  Let us not take for granted that blessing.  May we be thankful for the blessing of family and revel in the awesome wonder of it all!

Heavenly Father, we thank you for the blessing of family.  May our family relationships grow stronger under your guidance and may our love for each continue to take priority.  Let us not forget your hand of orchestration in our families.  In your name we pray, Amen!

 

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!