Pain and Tragedy

"Get Real", Who came up with the idea that because we are Christians pain, disappointment, hurt, tragedy ain't knocking at our door?

Have you felt your heart torn from your chest and stomped on? Have you fallen to your knees when there's no strength to stand? Have you cried "Oh God, help me!"  from deep inside, far deeper that you thought possible?  The tears, the gut wrentching sobs and the pain - hot, cold, breathtaking pain, tearing apart your heart?

Blindsided . . .a phone call, a doctor's visit, a knock on the door, a tearful conversation, an angry word. It happens, it has happened, it will happen. The big IT. Life is hard, love is hard, relationships are hard.

 "It's not fair!" "Why me?"

No, it's not fair - it's that sin thing again so life isn't perfect!
And why not me? Isn't it in the time of brokenness that I heal and grow stronger? Doesn't the mighty wind during a storm cause the tree's roots to dig deep into the heart of the earth, so I dig deeper into the heart of God? When there is nothing, isn't that when my heart flies to God?

I have fallen to my knees. I have stared at my heart floundering on the floor. I have pounded the walls and screamed "God hold me" .

I know it will happen again.

He is always there.

HE IS REAL!

Unloved, Abandoned, Alone

"Jesus Calling" got the brain working this morning. (after the first cup of coffee, of course)

                                                           

  To feel:

unloved

abandoned

   alone

This has never been my experience. I can't relate to these three words . . . yet . . . deep down, way down in my soul there is a fear - primal, raw - of this very thing. I believe each heart carries this fear -guarded, covered, hidden - quietly touching each relationship, effecting every action and reaction.

Is this a warning of Hell?  

To be separated eternally from God, who is love,

Totally alone in misery and torment of that separation,

surrounded forever by intense hate and indescribable evil?

Is this a reminder from God of what we are without Him because of sin?

The solution?

"Perfect love casts out fear!" 1 John 4:18

"We love him because He first loved us" 1 John 4:19

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn it but to save it"

John 3: 16-17

Christ died for ALL, God's unfailing, eternal, unconditional love is for All. May we live the answer to this primal fear each and every day of our lives!





Who taught them that?

Read this morning in "Jesus Calling" how pleased the Lord is when we see His glory in Nature.

I remember visiting Sea World a few years ago and holding my breath as a great killer whale gracefully jumped into the air.

 As Wendy and I walk in the mornings there is a little bird who has a white underside. A very persistent bird who draws attention to itself by pretending to be injured and flashing that underside to move us away from her/his nest. Who taught that bird what to do?

While in Colorado, Bruce and I were able to follow four baby robins from newly hatched to being covered with feathers. The parents dive bombed my head several times to protect these babies as I snapped pics each day, even left a juicy worm while playing tug-o-war to get it out of the ground to protect the nest. Oh, did you know robins usually lay four eggs? Momma keeps the eggs cool till the last egg is in the nest so they all hatch around the same time. Robins lay their eggs mid morning, unlike most birds who lay their eggs early in the morning . . . Why? The worms come out early in the morning and robins enjoy wormy meals! Who told them this?

Our God is great and greatly to be praised! Matthew 6 shares how even Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautiful as the flowers in a field. The birds are provided with food when they need it.
And the question in verse 26 - "Are you not more valuable than the birds?"

Just a Smile

Bruce made my day! Just a smile, you know that special look to say "I  love you!" Then I took care of Peyton and Jack on Monday. There is was again, that special smile, those big eyes looking up into my face with so much love and trust! A couple of weeks ago, there is was again in the precious faces of Finnlay and Lily, running to Papa and me . . .total love, unconditional and pure and that smile again!
The twins, such big smiles, showing me their jumping skills!

Thank you, Father, for surrounding me with constant reminders of Your love, unconditional and unfailing, consistant and constant! Now, may I take this love and share with those I meet daily!

When The Rain Falls

First day of the week, Sunday, the beginning of being . . .of living another block of time lasting 7 days. One week ago, how many thought "this is my last week, I will not experience another month. I will not see another snow fall, see the colors change on the trees like jewels of orange, red and yellow." Do we believe the fragility of our human condition? Death, many causes, only one outcome.

In the time of Noah, all was well the day before the flood. Life went on, buying and selling, marriage, building, eating and drinking. No clue of impending disaster. Then the rain began to fall . . .

Again, in Aurora, Colorado, we are shown "the heart of man is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked ". We grieve with those that have lost loved ones. Praying for comfort, love and hope to those hurting hearts given freely by the Father of love, grace and mercy.

Bruce and I attended a memorial service yesterday of a 52 year old man who lost a 2 year battle with cancer. I spoke today to a new friend who suddenly lost her young husband of 4 years to a brain aneurysm 2 years ago. The newspapers are filled with the tale of our mortality . . .the rain is falling.

"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved"  John 3: 16-17

"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, even if the earth be carried into the midst of the sea;
though its waters roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with its swelling". Psalm 46: 1-3

"Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth!" Psalm 46: 10

May the God of the Universe reveal His love to us this week and cover us with the shelter of His grace protecting us from the falling rain.

New Beginnings and other Thoughts

"How do you get started?" Was the question hanging in the air as I looked at my friend across the table. "You just start" he replied, "You can read, think and plan, but until you start writing, nothing is done. In order to learn the art of writing you must write," So, dear ones, here I sit at the computer, about to share my heart with you as the Lord directs. Exciting and terrifying to see the blank page and the blinking cursor waiting, patiently waiting to be filled.

"Write what you know" has been the answer to prayers about subjects for this adventure. So what do I know? I am a woman, goodness knows that accounts for something, ha. I am a wife and mother of three incredible men (the mother part not the wife part!) and their sweeties, a grandmother of 6 adorable kiddlets, a nurse, a niece, a cousin, a friend and perhaps the best of all - I belong to Wendy, our precious poodle. Seriously, to be a daughter of the Living God and awaiting His return as His Bride stands above all the rest. His gentle guidance on the journey we are walking together is persistent and loving. May the words that are forming be a blessing and encouragement to you and may the Lord shine through and touch your heart as He does mine so often each day!

Dear Ones, I have arrived in Newark and am on my way home. What a shock to walk off the plane to 97 degree temps, American accent, hispanic accent, dour security and customs guys and heat haze!!!! Well, thought this pic of the Scottish country side would give you all some "eye candy". It was really hard to leave the precious ones this morning . . . shed a few tears as I flew over Scotland on the way to the US. I will add a few more pics to the blog and some narrative once I get home. Have some great footage of a neat castle near Hamilton and some other pics of around Hamilton. Love you all, cant wait to give you hugs!