But God........

“But God” has been my “signpost” since the beginning of my blogging venture. It’s the crux of the verse I hang my faith on.

• Life can throw you a curve ball…………but God………. is the same yesterday, today and forever. (Hebrews 13:8)
• You can enter a dark night of your soul and experience that sense of loneliness and desolation……..but God……….never leaves you nor forsakes you. (Hebrews 13:5)
• You can be sad to the core……but God……….comforts you in all your troubles. (I Corinthians 1:3-4)
• You can be restless, distracted and overwhelmed……but God…….is near. In His presence is peace. (Philipians 4:4-7)
• Fear may be wreaking havoc with your psyche ……but God……….hath not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and love, and a sound mind. (II Timothy 1:7)
• You can feel rejected by ones you love ………but God……….is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. (Psalm 34:18)
• You can end up in the wilderness of despair…………but God……..paved a way in the wilderness. (Isaiah 40:3)

“But God”……….just those two words remind me again and again, at every spiritual crossroad, that no matter how desperate the situation I can say, “but God”…… has great love for me, “but God”……. extends mercy. (Ephesians 2:4)

VISUAL MONOTONY

4/18/11 Have you ever been “caught” in the mundane? Traveling the same route to work? Going through the same routine in your workplace day after day, rarely even looking up as people pass in the hall? Life is passing by but some of us seem too self-absorbed or distracted to notice. Years ago in an “Aesthetic Education” grad class I “failed” a pop quiz. Questions missed; color of flowers at the front door, mascot on the school’s sign, location of the school’s mailbox and number of stop signs on the street leading up to the school. As I recall, the entire class ”flunked” our life awareness quiz. I think I need to re-enroll in life awareness---a remediation class for folks to whom life has become an obligation “to get through” not a “dance” to experience and savor.

This morning I chose to “look up” and try to see the “beauty” of life around me, whether in creation or in the faces and hearts of people who cross my path. Many people might do this naturally----lately, I have not. I tried to “see” on the way to work---granted it’s still dark when I arrive at work but I did “notice” some good things. A park crossing sign---new to me but maybe it’s been there and I just never noticed. It jogged my “thankfulness meter”----thankful that near home and work, I have access to some great open spaces. The dimly lit walkway had some blooming “knockout roses” and though I didn’t stop to smell them, I did appreciate the student hands that planted them. The eye-opening “biggie” was 4 planters filled with smiling purple and yellow pansies right by the front entrance. Wonder how long they have been there?

And God saw everything that He had made, and indeed, it was very good. Genesis 1:31

This verse seems worthy of consideration today as I begin to see the visual feast that God in His goodness has created for me to savor. There is no monotony in creation.

Uncharted Journeys

4/17/11 Life is full of those unfamiliar, unknown journeys through uncharted territory. We don’t exactly get a life map at birth. Yet all journeys have a destination. (Huffman, 4/17) Possibly because the next leg of my life’s journey constitutes such a change for us, I’m stumbling a little. Strength and direction are needed so that I can learn this new “dance.”

Palm Sunday service at church today was all about strength for our journeys. The final hymn reminded me that the life journey of all Christians is not linear. We are at point B now and no matter how changing and curving and winding are our earthly streets, we will arrive at point A---heaven, the dwelling place of God with man. So, I just need to sit back, be still and allow Him to lead me through this most recent “uncharted” journey knowing I can trust Him for safe arrival at my final destination.*

Be still, my soul: the Lord is on thy side.
Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain.
Leave to thy God to order and provide;
In every change, He faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul: thy best, thy heavenly Friend
Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end. (Hymns from the Land of Luther, 1855.)

*At this point, it’s easier to type it than to live it----but God………PTL, He even understands that.

"Room with a View"

4/16/11

Daddy’s room 2066 at the Health Center at West Meade Place really is a “room with a view.” It’s perfect for a quiet type like Daddy. Perfect for one living in the moment.

It’s hard for Daddy to recall much from his past. As for considering his future---I don’t think that ever crosses his mind. However, he does seem to remember when a meal might be in his future.

He enjoys sitting and looking out at the flowers and the statuary in the garden. More that that, he seems enthralled by the changing clouds and the sky. Even the hills in the distance capture his attention as do folks who might wander out to “sit a spell.” I raise the blinds completely so that his view is unobstructed.

There’s a pleasantness that he experiences and he’s very content to sit there and “watch.” Daddy knows how “to be.”

I can learn from that---to be content in whatever place God has put me. To appreciate the beauty that surrounds me I just need to open my eyes, and raise my blinds so that I have an unobstructed view of all that God has given me.

I sat for awhile and enjoyed the view with him. Later, as I kissed Daddy good-by, he said, “Goodby, Sugar.” That’s the first time since his stroke (3/13/11) that he’s used his pet name for me. What joy there was in that simple moment!

GOD'S ENCORE

4/15/11 A repeat affirmation. A lyrical avowal. It was just for me. The music spoke to my heart and worked its way to my feet. The melody* from the Quaker song, “Simple Gifts “ was being “practiced” in the gym lobby by the Houston High orchestra. My plan was to take pictures in the gym for “Career Day.” God’s plan was for me to hear HHS kids playing “our” song.

The chorus on the score sheet reminded me of those words of truth that we experience when we are right where God’s plan takes us---to the place we “ought to be.” And when we’re right there in that place, the middle of His will, it’s delightful.

It’s a gift to be simple, Its a gift to be free,

It’s the gift to come down where you ought to be,

And when we find ourselves in the place just right,

Will be in the valley of love and delight.

ENCORE! ENCORE! ENCORE! …..for that reminder.

*The melody is the one used by Sydney Carter (1963) in “Lord of the Dance.” Mr. Carter stated, “from one of these hymns, (Simple Gifts) I adapted this melody. I could have written another for the words of 'Lord of the Dance'but this was so appropriate that it seemed a waste of time to do so.” That’s a blog with in itself.

"Plan G"

4/14/11 I am indeed a planner---- though as most blog readers have come to realize, my life often takes me to plan B, C, D and so on. That’s certainly what has happened in the last month. Daddy’s stroke, Mommar’s (hubby’s mom) terminal cancer prognosis and my on-going head to toe medical dilemmas were not in my plans. Continuing to work until 2012 was my plan. Pragmatically (translated, financially) I knew I needed to work at least one more year. I asked hubby for his input. He said, “Retire.” I asked, (several times), “Are you sure?”

For years (42, but whose counting) I thought that “RETIREMENT” would be the best word I could ever hear, so why was I worrying or second guessing? My calculations said 2012. Obviously God’s calculations (Plan G) were saying 2011. But God………..in his grace, affirmed the timetable for me in obvious ways. I like obvious!

#1 Larry’s prayerful conclusion

#2 BSF lesson Monday night so clear about being fully devoted to what the Lord has planned for you (me)

#3 Tuesday’s quiet time about “BIG” decision---when looking for verse on contentment (I Timothy 6:6) I “stumbled” (by God’s grace) on The Experiencing God Study Bible’s, “God’s Focus” notation on the corresponding page. (I Timothy 5:16) The question bore into my psyche and soul and affirmed my direction as I took my “papers” in to Dr. J.

It couldn’t have been clearer. This is what God wants me to do now.

Plan G (God’s plan) was typed out just for me.

Visions of Life

4/12/11 “Seeing is not necessarily something we do with our eyes alone” was the statement Maisie Dobbs quoted in Winspear’s recent novel in that series. That sentence grabbed me because it’s been part of my contemplative mood of late. There’s more to life than meets the eye. Or we all view the same things but see them differently based on our perspectives.

Some of us have a narrow view point based on what we have experienced----similar to the age old story of the blind men and the elephant. Each of the men “saw” with his fingertips BUT because each was experiencing a different part of the elephant each of their “sightless perspectives” reflected that.

In Girzone’s, Joshua, A Parable for Today, readers are reminded that “each person looks at life through a different vision.” The example given is that of three men viewing a tree. The entrepreneur might view it as a financial endeavor and be calculating the value of the lumber. A family man might view it as firewood to give warmth in the winter for his brood. Another man might simply view it as God’s creative art that expresses “God’s love and enduring strength.” (Girzone, 67)

All of these references coupled with God’s word about the condition of our heart as it affects our perspectives have given me pause for thought. Our heart condition (our values) reflects the way we see life. I want my children and grands to see life based on their own godly values. I want them to focus on God’s love and provision. For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: (Proverbs 23:7) Once again one’s heart reflects the real person, thus affecting his life’s view.

My plan is to pray these verses toward that end, that they might have a godly vision of life.

The eyes of your understanding (rendered “heart” in NIV) being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, (Ephesians 1:18)

Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him. John 7:38) (That overflow would brighten our life's vision, not cloud it. DAL)

LADDER OF COMPLAINT

4/11/11

Such a title might seem like a typo of sorts since most often we hear of “letters of complaint.” The CA Letters to the Editor column has certainly had more than enough of them about teachers lately. This title is correct----it’s a reflection of my morning’s Jesus Calling marginalia.

Through the years I’ve been taught to take all of your struggles and complaints to the Lord. Anne Graham Lotz even suggested writing them out on paper and balling them up to physically rid yourself of them as you “metaphorically” leave them at the Lord’s feet for Him to handle.

“Begin this day with open hands of faith, ready to receive all that I am pouring into this brief potion of your life. Be careful not to complain about anything,…..” (Jesus Calling, 4/11) After reading that I jotted a list and underlined each complaint. The list began to look like a ladder----each rung going downward. I realized that my complaints do just that. They are like a ladder leading down to a “pit”---more specifically a “pity pit.”

The best way to change that direction is through thankfulness. That’s scriptural so I plan to “think” on that today.

"In everything give thanks for this is the will of God concerning you." (I Thessalonians 5:18)

What’s the will of God concerning you? (and me) That in everything we give thanks.

I think I need to change my ladder of complaint for one of contentment----one that’s “upward” bound----that’s the way to stay out of the pit.

6But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 8 But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. (I Timothy 6:6-8)

Sunday Summary

4/10/11 Very sporadic internet access and phone access continues---patience please---if I open a browser, it just cuts off. Hm-m-m---must be a life lesson here somewhere.

3-D Vision

3-D Vision

4/9/11 “Seeing God’s Hand” portion of this blog started the awareness, during my ’09 cancer journey, of the fact that most of the happenings of my life are out of my hands. Bobbie McCarty, at Houston High, encouraged me to see God’s hand in my life and to trust Him for the outcome. Today’s My Utmost for His Highest entry recalled for me the importance of that pursuit. Ten times in the entry, Oswald Chambers wrote of Seeing Him/Jesus.

How does one go about “seeing Him Who is invisible?” Through creation. Through the kindness and compassion of others who become His hands and feet.

As I mulled this today, I realized that often we see with our heart, especially as we read God’s word. We need to “see” Him with the eyes of our understanding. We need to put on our 3-D spiritual glasses if we cant to see His depth, His doggedness and His duration.

Depth---His love for us is deep and nothing “shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:38-39)

Doggedness---God first loved us (while we were yet sinners) and continues to pursue a love relationship with us. He doesn't give up on us. What a comfort that is. (Romans 5:8)

Duration---Jeremiah 31:3 The Lord appeared……saying, ”I have loved you with and everlasting love.

I can’t “see” Him for you, nor you for me. We all have our own spiritual 3-D glasses. Let’s wear them today and then share with others, what we have seen for ourselves.