WAITING: A TEST OF PATIENCE

What do we do while we're waiting is a question asked in Beckett's "Waiting for Godot?"

 

While Bernie and I were "waiting" for the 2nd act to begin......the word absurd came to my mind.
Yet, I was intrigued by the premise of this play. Silence was prevalent.
The pauses were long and l-o-n-g-e-r.
For an impatient-type gal it was an eye-opener. There was a depth of understanding that one could only glean through the silences.
Silence can tend to make extroverts uncomfortable. But....words are not always the answer.

Even scripture "speaks" to this conundrum, even speaking to the futility of many words.(Ecclesiastes 6:11) "....but he who restrains his lips is wise." (Proverbs 10:19) Is there no limit to "windy" words? (Job 16:3)
Often, too much empty prattle robs the true listeners of understanding especially in the quietness of a theater.

One can only imagine how much loquacious folks "miss" by filling every moment of silence with chatter. ( I know.....I'm typing to the choir here!)

FEED YOUR SOUL

Where does one find a diet consistent for "soul" feeding?

After a discouraging start to my morning, I found my daily bread in Psalm 107. Though I've been considering the truths in this psalm for several weeks now, today I "tasted" a new version, NKJ.

4/ They wandered in the wilderness in a desolate way;

They found no city to dwell in.
5 5/ Hungry and thirsty, Their soul fainted in them.
6 

6/ Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble,
And He delivered them out of their distresses.
7 7/ And He led them forth by the right way,
That they might go to a city for a dwelling place.
8 8/ Oh, that men would give thanks to the Lord for His goodness,
And for His wonderful works to the children of men!
9 9/For He satisfies the longing soul,
And fills the hungry soul with goodness. (emphasis, mine)

Think of it as trying a different food brand. Cereal or tea come to mind.The nutrients are still there but sometimes the variety gives us a new flavor to nibble on though the ingredients are the same.

Reading of the wanderer in Psalm 107:4-9, it became so evident that my "mood" this morning was as one in a dry place looking for a dwelling place. Hungry and thirsty for peace in my soul.

But God, in His word, showed me the He is my dwelling place and He will satisfy me, and others for whom I am praying today, with His redeeming love.

Today, "taste and see" (Psalm 34:8) with me the goodness of the Lord.

Real soul food for a hungry heart.

CONSIDER YOUR LEGACY

Billy Graham died today, February 21, 2018. Christians worldwide know that he just changed his address to a heavenly abode.

What a life! What a legacy! https://memorial.billygraham.org

The way we live, what we believe and care about are all a part of the legacy we leave. Billy Graham lived out his beliefs before his family and the world. 

Such a spiritual heritage that is rare these days.

"If we don't intentionally pass on a legacy consistent with our beliefs, our culture will pass along its own." (Focus on the Family)

One cannot leave what they do not possess. (B. Liles, ABC)

Therefore I intend always to remind you of these qualities, though you know them and are established in the truth that you have. I think it right, as long as I am in this body, to stir you up by way of reminder, ......... And I will make every effort so that after my departure you may be able at any time to recall these things. (2 Peter 1:12-15, ESV)

Like the apostle Peter, Billy Graham's life of belief in the love of God and the gospel of Jesus Christ is reminder to all generations to live a life that is worthy to be recalled by our world, after their passing.

May considering Graham's legacy reminded us to consider the importance of our own---a spiritual heritage worthy of recall.

consider--Consider--CONSIDERING

A morsel for musing.

I seem to be seeing the verb "consider" in degrees. Degrees of intensity.

Some consideration. (lower case) 

More consideration. (w/ capital C) 

MOST CONSIDERATION. (ALL CAPS)

A quick glance (consider) might capture a few words or one idea.


A more thorough "seeing" (Considering) as thought patterns evolve.....and sometimes even echo in my head as I ponder.

Most CONSIDERATION comes with understanding when paired with scripture which gives illumination--the true light.

Scriptural context takes CONSIDEIRNG TO THE nth degree!



*Original place holder that spawned the comments.
More later.

Considering a nap at the moment.

CONSIDER LOVE OF FRIENDS

"Loved, (I am loved) you are loved (I am loved)---better far than any metaphor can ever, ever, be."     I am loved. (lyrics from memory, what little I have)

I can still remember dancing around on the 5th floor of Rawls Hall (with Winslow) to the 33 1/3 vinyl record format blaring down the hallways. From Hoptown neighbor, to college roommate,  to bridesmaid---a true friend  with whom I'm still in touch.

That's what friends do. 

Friends keep in touch in special ways, even if not often, by special acts of love. 

Real friends are always there for you!

Family has to love you (or should) but friends choose to love. 

For his valentine's day, I received a perfect, SPECIAL gift from long-time dear friend, Ashley Bryan. I AM LOVED.

With an inscription that has love jumping off the pages of his latest illustrated book.

And I'm singing about a "new" metaphor for love. I AM LOVED. Right out of the pages of a book of poetry! 

Thanks, Ashey!

CONSIDER FAITH

Considering faith gives you hope and confidence in hard times. (even in 18 days of sickness)

Considering starts with perceiving in the mind and after some pondering, it enables one to perceive clearly and move toward understanding. Quite a process for this finite mind.
So....How thoughtful of the Lord to provide it in BIG bold print.

Consider faith and then choose faithfulness.

It's head to heart action---then the feet take over.

Know it. Do it.

Because of His faithfulness, I can do it.

I have chosen the way of faithfulness, I have set my heart on your laws. (Psalm 119:30)

FOOD FOR THOUGHT FRIDAY

Today's entry has me continuing "Food for Thought Friday," which I thought would only be for the first month of 2018.

Just some tidbits.
Even a funny anagram. STRESSED becomes DESSERTS. It certainly happens to me! Even when I'm sick and on prednisone.

Morsels to chew on which have come up as I have read, studied and prepped to teach as well as listening to others or the news or watching Jeopardy. So.....citations are sketchy at best, but will confirm as I am able. 

➨A fool has no appetite for God's word/wisdom. (Proverbs 1:7)

• ➨You can never outrun the fork. (Commercial Appeal, ?) I guess that means it's more important to push back from the table than to tie on your running shoes.
• 
  
• ➨Peace is a result of giving someone a piece of your heart, not a piece of your mind. (Debbie Moore quoting Ann Voskamp)
• 
  
• ➨decision fatigue---(Emily P. Freeman)--it must be a communicable disease because the older I get, the more I "catch" it. (DAL)
• ➨Stupid is as stupid steps, so be careful of your steps. (Buddy Liles, Allen Bible Church)  'nuf said, even tho "stupid" is not a word I like, it gives a clear assessment of this truth.
• Ahab and Jezebel were a gruesome twosome. (DAL)---doing evil is a gruesome way to live!

• Fool's Errand---a device of Satan to distract us---to keep us in motion without meaning---living by our nerve endings, off course instead of in purposeful meaningful ways. B. Liles)
• To consider a matter, one must take time to think. (DAL)

Certainly some were healthier intake but all caught my attention and I "chewed" on them a bit.

Hope you can "digest" today's variety in my "thought" diet.

MY ONE WORD

The choice is made---my one word for focus, pondering, meditating on & taking thought of in 2018 has been decided.

I have to admit that MISERY was a word that came to mind often over these last 2 weeks of being in bed.

But God......as I was praying for friends, Sam & Suzie on the mission field in Uganda and 3 sweet friends who deal everyday with chronic pain, had me considering true sacrifice and real pain. Staying "abed" pales in comparison to their situations.

CONSIDER---that's my word. Can't wait to see where God will take me in this meditation.

How about this for a start.

Joy is the path I need to "consider."

May the Lord use my momentary affliction as a reminder to fervently pray for others.

WORDS OF WISDOM

Real "wordsmiths" have a way of saying the most with the fewest words.

My dear friend and MAC cancer mentor, Michèle Phoenix, has once again done just that.

MY ONE WORD

Here I go again. Simplify. Focus.

Pare to one word for meditation if that helps.

Just like last year, I thought in January that I knew my one word for 2017. 

I had thought it would be one of two words. Trust or Joy. I was not even close.

Once again, I've spent the month of January focusing on what I thought would be my one word. 

Now here I am the first day of February re-"considering."

I'll keep you posted.