Investments

I have sat here for some time now, beginning to write and erasing, beginning to write and erasing, undecided as to the topic of this blog entry.  So, rather than try to write some poetic blog with absolutely no heart in it, I’m simply going to write my thoughts, however scattered they might be.  I’ve had some wonderful times in the recent weeks.  I’ve been able to spend time with my husband’s family in Louisiana who I love dearly, and I thank God for allowing me into their lives.  We did the typical family cookout, went crabbing (a new, but wonderful experience), and with all the laughter, even shed some tears together along the way. 

Then, I made my way to Alabama to visit great friends whom I haven’t been able to see in a few years.  I arrived in a time of loss for them, with the imminent passing of a family member.  It would seem that it should have been a gloomy visit, but I found that, on the contrary, it has been filled with the exact same emotions as my visit with family.  How could that be??  How could it be that in the midst of death, I could be afforded the same emotional experiences that I had amidst so much life? 

What an honor and a tremendous blessing to be able to both, invest in someone else’s life, and have it reciprocated back to yours, both joy and sorrow.  I stood in the hospice room with my friend as her sister lay there, and was asked to sing her a song.  At first, I must admit that I was taken back, but I was more than happy to bring some sort of comfort to them in such a hard time.  What I found completely shocked me.  Whether or not anyone else had gotten anything out of me singing “Amazing Grace” (it was her favorite), I felt such a connection to this woman whom I had never met.  She was a child of God that was beginning her crossover to eternity with Jesus, and I felt an overwhelming sense of awe about that moment in time.  For a second, time stood still for me, and I truly felt God’s peace in a way I had never felt before. And so, there was sorrow for the pain of family members who would be left behind, but there was also a joy in knowing the end result of her journey, and peace in the knowledge of God’s divinity and love for His children.

How gracious God is, that His mercy outweighs any faults and failures, and that He surrounds us with life experiences to spiritually move us to new and higher ground.  In the back of my car lies a black skirt set that I didn’t think I was going to need but felt led to pack.  The church service that I was supposed to participate in this morning, the morning of the sister’s passing, had fallen through for unknown reasons.  Everything led up to this moment, this moment that wouldn’t seem very important to someone else.  God prepared me for an amazing opportunity to invest in someone, and be invested in by someone in return.  I am so very thankful.  I pray that everyone who reads this will take a moment to think about who they are divinely appointed to invest in today.  And, not just what they are supposed to be giving in, but what they are supposed to be receiving from those God has placed in their sphere of influence today?  Give all of yourself that you can, and receive all that God has to give! Sometimes, the greatest blessings come from the most unexpected places. Amen.       

How do I look?

As so many people dress to the hilt today, displaying bright spring colors and heading to church , I couldn't help but wonder what I look like today.  Not on the outside, as I sit here in my pajama pants and sweatshirt, disheveled hair, and no make-up, but rather, on the inside.  Of course, we can't see the inside of a man, but the inside springs forward through our actions.  So, what do my actions and reactions say about the child of God I am on the inside.  So, I reflected back to the account of the cross, and all of the actions and reactions that surrounded our Lord and Savior.  What did they look like, and who, in comparison, would I most resemble?


My thoughts first drifted to Mary, the mother of Jesus, and the character of the woman who found great favor in the sight of the Lord.  Enough favor in fact, to have the unique honor of carrying and giving birth to her Savior.  She watched Him grow, and teach, and heal, and forgive.  She watched Him as He bore chains and whips and thorns, without violent action or spite-filled reaction.  She looked on as He hung on a cross that shouldn't have had to be His, and wept as He drew His last fleshly breath.  Through all of this, she honored and worshipped God, having been foretold the plan of salvation, and the events that would come.  Do I look like her?  Not hardly.


I then thought about Peter, and how conflicted he was.  He laid down everything to follow Jesus, and loved Him greatly.  He was ready to fight, even at the cost of his own life, and did until Jesus commanded him to not live by the sword.  Yet, through all of that devotion and loyalty, Peter found himself denying Jesus in the most crucial of moments.  Then, consumed with humiliation, he ran.  Do I resemble Peter?  Yes, there have been times that I followed Jesus with everything I am, and still got it wrong.  At times, I still tried to fight battles in the flesh, and yes, there have been times that I didn't stand for truth.  Thank God I have learned what Peter found out, that God is right there waiting for us to turn to Him and fall into His grace and forgiveness.


I pondered the crowd, and how easily they became overtaken with the emotion of the mob.  How, so many who had heard Jesus speak, and watched Him perform miracles, could so easily follow the majority.  Have I looked like that?  yes.


I thought of Pontius Pilate and how he washed his hands of the blood of Jesus.  I also considered that he allowed fear of consequence to keep him from intervening in the crucifixion of our Lord.  In the end, we know that it was God's plan, and that He used the weaknesses of man to fulfill His ultimate goals.  Am I a Pilate?   At times.  I can say that many times I have seen God use my weaknesses to gow something great in my life.


My greatest prayer is that, at the end of the day, and more so, at the end of this life, when I face the final judgement, God will see a reflection of the many influences He has placed in my life.  I pray that I learn from the failures of Peter and the great comeback that he made through Jesus' sacrifice.  I pray that I would find the humility that Mary possessed and the great desire to serve God, even in loss.  I pray that I will walk away from the voice of the crowd to find peace and vision of God's plan without the fear of what men will say and do.  Most of all, I pray that I will resemble Jesus, who came, and gave freely, suffering greatly, and loving much!  God bless you and Happy Resurrection Day!

The Changing of the Seasons

We can see through nature, an example of our own walk of life, leading us ever closer to the Prize, an eternity with Jesus.  There will be seasons of Summer, when there are times of laughter and play, seasoned with moments of discomfort, forcing us to "sweat" through until the heat wave passes.  Soon after, Fall creeps in bringing cooler weather, and the beauty of leaves falling in grand changing colors, a forboding of rougher times to come.  As winter settles in, we make provisions and ready ourselves to bear through the bitter cold, and harsh conditions, and yet, as the snow falls, we gaze across it, in awe of its wonder.  The snow melts, and the chill begins to subside, bringing the new life that is called Spring to all of God's great creation.  Birth - in all of its glory.  As the seasons change in my life and ministry, I want to be sure that I don't miss any of the blessings that God has placed so perfectly before me -  the sunshine on my face, the piles of red, orange, and yellow leaves awaiting child's play, the glittering blanket of snow protecting the earth's seed, and the birth of something new and undiscovered.  Thank you Lord, for every season, and the gifts that You have given through each one.  Help me to never take any of them for granted, and learn all of the lessons You have for me through them.