Facing the Son

"Seek the Lord and His strength, Seek His face continually."  1 Chronicles 16:11

I find sunflowers fascinating.  As with most flowers, they come in an array of beautiful colors.  Yes, the most common is the yellow petals, but some have darker oranges and browns that are integrated into every petal.  It looks as if each color is precisely painted onto the petal canvas. This weekend, I also saw some pretty ones that had no yellow on them at all!  Then there is the size.  They range from the smallest of flowers to ones that seem larger than life.  

Not only do sunflowers look like the sun, but they also gravitate towards it.  When growing sunflowers, you will notice that the stalk will grow straight up, but the point where the flower starts to bud always faces the sun.  If you look at a field of sunflowers, they are always facing the same way.  It's stunning!  Most flowers certainly will seek the sun, but the sunflower actually will move towards the way of the strongest sun.  No, I'm not making this up - it is something called heliotropic and it means that they follow the sun as the sun moves through the sky.  Pretty neat!

As I stopped to pick some sunflowers yesterday, I thought about this beauty and it reminded me of Jesus.  I know when I follow the "Son", Jesus, I am brighter and flourish greater.  When my focus is on His word and His teachings, my life seems to have a sense of calm and peace.  No, not everything is perfect, but I know when I'm facing the Son, all will find its purpose - including me!  Focusing on the sunshine that He brings into my world sets my compass.  

I also know that it's not just about facing Jesus when I feel like it, like once a week on Sundays.  Daily prayer and devotion also help me to keep my focus.  It's my ability to stay connected to Jesus morning, noon and night.  I will admit there are times when I am better at this than other times.  Yet, like the sunflower, it's about finding that Son to readjust all that my soul needs to grow.  Life is hard sometimes.  Tough decisions need to be made and situations can bring calamity.  Life's not all "sunshine and sunflowers".  On those days when the sun doesn't shine, we have a Son that always shines and will always help to bring light into our lives.  It doesn't matter who we are - from the smallest of us in size and spirit to the largest of us.  Just like the sunflower, Jesus will shine on you!  Find a way to "Face the Son".  I can guarantee when you do, YOUR flowers will be brighter and you will be stunning.

Dearest Jesus - help us to be like the sunflower.  May we face towards you at all times and may you grant us your everlasting light.  Help us to find ways to seek your face and live our lives facing you.  In your name we pray.  Amen!

Blueberries and Blessings

"And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus."

Philippians 4:19

As the heat wave has taken over most of the United States, many of us have found a cooler environment. That was my plan yesterday, AFTER I got to the blueberry patch in town.  One of the treasures about living in a smaller farming community is all the fruits and veggies you can not only pick up at a local market, but actually pick right from its origin.  I've picked many things, yet, my favorite is blueberries.  The season is longer than the rest, which provides me ample opportunity to get out there and get some of these gems.  Not to mention how good the blueberry is for your health.  Blueberry picking is a place of solace for me.  Despite the heat & humidity at that hour, it was worth the time with me, nature, and God.  

For those who haven't picked blueberries, the bush stands about 4' tall.  There are wonderful berries right on top that you pick and put into your bucket.  During a good season, you can see beautiful berries right on the top of the branches.  My favorites, though, are when you get down a little lower and see all the beautiful berries underneath the branches.  Such a bounty hiding there.  

The picking yesterday was definitely plentiful.  As I was picking and chatting with God, I was reminded of how the blueberries were so much like the blessings in my life.  As I moved from bush to bush, seeing the bounty on the top, I can move from different areas of my life and see the bounty of blessings, whether family, friends, work, relationships, health - the list goes on and on.  These are the blessings that stare back at us on a regular basis.  They may be the big ones - getting that new job you wanted or hearing a positive health report.  These are the big "blueberries" right on top.

When I searched a little lower, I realized all the wonderful blessings that were tucked underneath those obvious ones.  The community that I live in, the ability to physically get around, the love I have in my life, the cool air I would be enjoying when I returned home - the things that we may take for granted.  As each blueberry went into the bucket, I found myself thanking God more and more for all that He has given to me.  He not only is meeting my needs, but providing a bounty of blueberry blessings for me.  Just like the blueberry, they are all VERY good for me.  

I also looked over my life on things that I thought should be good blessings for me, but God knew better (doesn't he always!).  The prayers that I sent up to him that I thought were unanswered, but were actually no!  Looking back on those times, I am so very grateful for His guidance in opening up new blessings for me.  Oh how good our God is - all the time.  Even in times of despair, there are always a few "blueberries" underneath the branches for us to find.  I ask that the next time you eat a blueberry (and you just can't eat one), consider all the blessings our Dear Lord has provided for you.  May your bounty be rich as the Lord looks upon you with his grace and mercy.

Heavenly Father, we thank you for the bountiful "blueberry" blessings you provide to us.  Sometimes they stare us in the face; other times we may have to look a little harder.  At all times, we are thankful!  May you continue to bless us in all our needs and help us to always recognize the goodness you provide to us.  In your holiest of names we pray.  Amen!

Where The Breeze Blows

"The wind blows wherever it pleases.  You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going.  So it is with everyone born of the Spirit."  John 3:8

It's a hot summer evening.  The air is stagnant and the warmth penetrates the skin.  As time passes, one realizes how very warm it is.  Just as you think about going inside to the air-conditioned house, it happens.  First you hear it - a rustle in the tree tops.  Then you see it, movement of the leaves.  At last, at very last, you feel it.  The breeze you've been waiting for - the breeze that provides gentle refreshment.  Ahhhh, a good enough reason to stay outside a little longer.

The comfort of a gentle breeze.  It amazes me that something so simple can provide such great relief.  In all honesty, one truly cannot SEE the breeze itself.  We get to see the breeze as it effects nature.  We see the breeze when it touches something else.  It may be leaves on a tree, or a flag on a pole, or a kite in the sky.  That breeze can only be seen when it touches another item to be moved.

In scripture, the breeze (or wind) is used when describing the Holy Spirit, as in our verse for today.  As John 3:8 states, we can't tell where the breeze comes from or goes to.  The reference of the Holy Spirit is truly real.  I think back upon times in my life when the Holy Spirit was truly that gentle breeze.  I didn't know where it came from, but it passed by me just when I needed it.  Many times, I feel it when I'm working in the garden and I'm frustrated by the weeds, the heat, and even the lack of veggies.  Then, it happens - that gentle breeze.  It passes by and I have a different perspective.  It rejuvenates me.  I truly believe it is the Holy Spirit helping me to change my attitude from negative to positive.  

The Holy Spirit breeze has also touched my soul on many other occasions.  When I have the opportunity to share God's word with ladies at a Bible Study or even as I write this blog, often I can feel the Holy Spirit breeze with me, encouraging me.  It certainly isn't my own accord or ability.  Left up to me, I would surely fail as I am a creature of sin.  Yet, when the Holy Spirit breezes through me, I am rejuvenated and energized.  I don't know when He is coming and I don't know where He will go next.  I revel in the grace I've been given by Him to continue on the path God has sent me.

The next time the gentle breeze blows, stop and think.  What do you need in your life right at that moment?  Do you need a word of encouragement?  Do you need to feel loved?  Do you need refreshment?  Whatever your need, know that the Holy Spirit is with you providing exactly what you need at that moment.  Hold onto it and cherish it.  Smile - for you have felt God's hand on you!!

Holy Spirit, thank you for being the breeze that blows and reminds me that God is with me.  By you living in me, I am able to move forward on the path God has chosen for me.  Release me from my frustrations and energize me to continue to march onward.  Provide me the refreshment I need!  In your holy name I pray.  Amen.

That Groundhog!!

"The one who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning.  The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil's work."

1 John 3:8

It happens every year.  Juan begins the process of setting up my garden.  He graciously turns over the dirt and ensures it is ready for planting.  He takes out all the weeds that came up over the winter/spring and makes sure I have all I need.  This includes the very important "groundhog fencing".  Throughout the years, he has worked diligently to keep the groundhog from eating what I'm trying to sow and harvest.  One year, the groundhog managed to eat all my beans.  Another year it was the zucchini.  The past couple of years, we have found the rhythm.  Fencing around the garden with stakes, ties, staples, etc.  You get the picture.  It has worked!  Until this year . . .

It started with the broccoli.  I planted it and within a week it was all eaten.  I couldn't believe that a groundhog could have weaseled its way into the garden, so I blamed it on the deer.  Until I saw the groundhog IN the garden.  I watched in amazement.  How could this animal get over the fencing?  Getting under it was not an option, that was closed tight with no sign of entry.  A couple of days later, I noticed the groundhog on its hind legs - yes, he was probably high enough to climb over the fence and gain entrance.  The beans are slowly dwindling, but the rest of the veggies are okay - so far.

I sat and looked at the garden and thought about its struggle with the groundhog.  It reminded me of my own struggle - with the devil.  I try to guard myself against the devil.  With devotions, Bible reading, church services and certainly prayer, I try to ensure that the devil stays away from me and my family.  Yet, no matter how much I try to prepare and ensure that I am protected from the devil, he always seems to weasel his way back into my life - and my sinful nature becomes so very evident.  He is just like the groundhog, finding a way through all the fencing I put around my soul and heart, to weasel his way in and eat his way through all my positive actions to my sinful nature.  When that happens, I feel so very defeated, like he has won again.  

Yet, unlike my broccoli and beans being eaten up, I have someone who is saving me from the harm of the devil - my savior Jesus.  Jesus is there to ensure that I am not destroyed by the devil, but saved from his harmful ways to an everlasting life with Him.  When I feel defeated and wonder why I even try, Jesus is there to remind me of all the love he has for me and how His mercy covers me and brings me from the darkness of the devil into His light.  With Jesus on my side, I have the greatest defense against the devil.  If the devil weasels his way in, Jesus is there waiting for him and chasing him away.  How very awesome God is!  So when you think that the groundhog, better known as the devil, is invading the garden of your heart and soul, remember you have the greatest fencing available.  You have Jesus!!  There is no greater defense.

Dearest Jesus, thank you for being my "fencing" against the devil, ensuring that he doesn't eat away at my soul.  Knowing that you are there for me brings me such comfort.  Knowing that you cover me with your mercy brings me such relief.  Knowing that you love me brings me such joy.  Thank you for being my greatest defense Jesus!  Amen.

Insurance Policy

"When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire, you shall not be burned; and the flame shall not consume you."  Isaiah 43:2

Every couple of years, I shop around for insurance.  I find insurance to be this necessary evil.  Paying each quarter, just so that I have "coverage" should something happen.  Whether it is car insurance, home, renters, or even life insurance, it just seems that we pay and pay - waiting for something catastrophic to happen.  When the casualty happens, I'm sure we are always happy that we have insurance to help us to get through those difficult times.

Many years ago, I was very grateful that we had medical insurance.  If I were to add up all the bills associated with surgeries, chemo treatments, radiation treatments and medicine, it would have been overwhelming.  Yet, we had insurance to greatly assist.  Insurance isn't "free", but it is with us when we need it.

There is an insurance that WE have NOT paid for, but the payment has been made for us!  Jesus came to Earth to be our insurance policy - to always be there for us when things take a difficult turn.  Whether it is raging waters or flames of fire, as shared in our verse for today, we need not worry.  Jesus is with us!  He came to Earth, taught us how to live our lives and paid the steepest price for our insurance - His Own Life!  

Jesus did this for one sole reason - because He loves us.  By taking on our sins, dying on the cross, and rising from the tomb, he paid a price far greater than our monthly insurance payment.  He gave his life for you and me!  Because of that, we have the assurance that He is with us each and every day.  When the day is steeped in joy and happiness or when the day is filled with trials and tribulations, Jesus is there with us.  He helps us get through those difficult times. 

Although I may not be thrilled to write the check, I am VERY grateful for the insurance I have when I need it.  Yet, the insurance I am MOST grateful for is the insurance Jesus paid for me so that I may be with Him in paradise one day.  That is an insurance I hope to never take for granted. 

Dearest Jesus, thank you for being my insurance policy for salvation.  By you paying the greatest price, I know that you are with me in difficult times.  I also know that I have the greatest insurance payment waiting for me - an eternity with you.  May I provide thanks to you each and every day for all you have given for me.  In your gracious name I pray.  Amen!

Bigger than Big

"The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in people who are trustworthy."

Proverbs 12:22

"I can do this," he said.  Yes, it started off as simple as that.  We always wanted to have a deck, but time and kids and resources and, . . . well, we had other priorities.  When we decided that this was "our year" to do this, the roof needed to be replaced and the furnace went.   Having a contractor take this on was not in the cards.  That's when Juan shared that he could do this.  No, he has never built a deck before, but that didn't stop him take on other projects with much success.

We decided we wanted it to be "comfortably big".  16 x 18 sounded like a good size.  Then we got a little greedy - let's go bigger.  We decided upon 20 x 30.  Yes, that was it.  We put the stakes in the ground.  It didn't look too big - just the right size.  The planning, the digging holes, the cement, the frame - weeks of work has taken place to get to this weekend - the laying of the floor.

We started, and continued, and continued and continued.  It is bigger than big.  We past "comfortably big" about 1/2 way through!  We are grateful that we have a big backyard that can take on this deck.  It made me think of other projects that I've started that were "big" projects that kept getting bigger.  It also reminded me of small things in my life that got bigger without me trying so hard.

My mind immediately went to some of the "white lies" I might have told in my life.  You know, the ones where you didn't want to hurt some one's feelings or didn't want to share the "whole truth", so you told a "little lie".  There certainly have been times when those little lies grew to be bigger than big - more than I'd like to count.  They are like this deck, keep going on and on and on until I realize that they take more work than one would realize.

That's why this passage for today is so fitting.  God knows when we lie - even the "little" lies.  Even the smallest of lies can get bigger than big.  Our Lord prefers us to be truthful and honest.  It's not always popular and it can be hurtful if we don't approach things in the correct manner.  Yet, the truth will always be delightful in God's eyes - and that's where I want to be bigger than big.  I want my God to think of me and delight in me in a BIG way.  How about you?  

As for our deck - it may be bigger than big - but my husband's hard work will be rewarded when we are able to relax with family on our deck - comfortably big!!  

Dearest God, help me to always keep the truth on my lips.  May I be reminded on times before when I spoke "white lies" that turned bigger than big.  I know you delight when I share the truth - and I am always wanting for you to delight in me.  Help me to stay on your path always.  Amen!

Compassionate Father

"As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him."

Psalm 103:13

I have many blessings in my life.  One of the greatest has been to have an earthly father who gave so much of himself for his family.  We rarely appreciate activities as they happen - especially as a teenager and especially with a parent.  As I look back over that time, and the years that followed, I reminisce about a man who brought such faith and prayer into his life, and imparted it on our lives.

Daddy didn't claim to memorize Bible verses or be able to quote Scripture.  Yet, he knew Jesus and his faith in Him was crystal clear.  Daddy's actions, his humbleness, his joy and his smile helped me to know every day that Jesus was in his heart.  He had compassion for family, friends, and strangers. Near the end of his life, when people would visit him in the hospital, it was all about sharing his faith with others - even if it was a simple, "God Bless".

Fast forward a few years and I have watched the man that I married become an incredible father as well.  I listen as he is the first call our children make when they need help (especially something mechanical), even though they are all adults.  I watch as he supports their decisions with additional strength.  Most importantly, my heart grows large as I hear him ask God to keep them safe.  He texts them all every day to wish them a good day and is excited when they text back.  Again, my husband may not quote Scripture, but he lives out Jesus' love to our family every day, with his actions, his humbleness, his joy, his smile and his compassion.

Our Heavenly Father yearns to have us close to him, just as earthly fathers yearn to have their children close to them.  The examples God has given in words and deeds to help our earthly fathers be good dads is an inspiration to all.  Yet, one of the greatest gifts we can receive from our earthly fathers and our Heavenly Father is compassion.  When we are suffering, our fathers are there for us.  They comfort us and walk with us through times of trial.  Some of us may not have had fathers who were there for us.  Some may have since lost our fathers to go to paradise.  There is no need to worry when struggles surround us.

Jesus is there for us - walking right beside us as our fathers have done.  He provides strength through the Holy Spirit, love and open arms to fall into, and our ability to talk to Him through prayer, always knowing He is listening.  My friends, if our fathers are no longer with us on earth, don't lose heart.  Jesus has ALWAYS been there to be the father we need - to love us unconditionally and support us through every trial.  What peace we have knowing the Lord's compassion is with us every day.

Oh Jesus, thank you for always being our father, even when our father on earth has gone away.  Help us to be reminded of that when times are tough or we feel alone.  May we turn to you in prayer, having full faith that you are listening and loving us.  Thank you - Heavenly Father.  Amen!