A Letter To God About Loving Others

"So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other."
John 13:34

Dear Lord,

You know how I long for simple truth. I just want You to tell me what I should do. Draw the lines clearly; make the words plain. (Of course, You also know how often I fail, even when You show me the clear path. Thank You for mercy and grace.)

I've been thinking a lot about love these days. I want to love the way You love, but it's a tall order. Your love is perfect, unconditional and unending. I'm afraid I don't measure up most days. But You did give me a compassionate heart. Sometimes the people around me get upset because I don't get angry when they think I should. There are other components to love, they say.

That's the part that's hard. Remember when You sent that sweet little baby boy to us? He came on a wave of love that overflowed my heart. I couldn't contain it. We wrapped him in hugs and kisses and watched in rapt joy as he flourished.

A day came when love demanded something more. There were lessons to be learned. Love, it seemed, also required discipline. Sometimes he wanted things that would only do him harm. Every once in a while (he was such a sweet little guy, Lord), he disobeyed. There were times we had to subject him to pain - (those immunizations hurt, Lord) - for his good. Remember the time I had to hold his little body down while the doctor cut out the infection under his little fingernail? Oh that was hard, Lord.

So, I guess what I'm trying to say is, I wish loving the way You love was easy. You do it with perfect wisdom - through the hurts and the pain and the heartache. You don't worry about what others may say about the way You love - You know what You are doing is only for my good.

Help me to love well, Father.
Linda

Encouraging Words For the Weekend

Some quotations and thoughts on the truth of God's Word:

“I believe that the Bible is to be understood and received in the plain and obvious meaning of its passages; for I cannot persuade myself that a book intended for the instruction and conversion of the whole world should cover its true meaning in any such mystery and doubt that none but critics and philosophers can discover it.”

Daniel Webster

"We all therefore have to face this ultimate and final question: Do we accept the Bible as the word of God, as the sole authority in all matters of faith and practice, or do we not? Is the whole of my thinking governed by scripture, or do I come with my reason and pick and choose out of scripture and sit in judgement upon it, putting myself and modern knowledge forward as the ultimate standard and authority? The issue is crystal clear. Do I accept scripture as a revelation from God, or do I trust to speculation, human knowledge, human learning, human understanding and human reasons? Or, putting it still more simply, do I pin my faith to, and subject all my thinking to, what I read in the Bible? Or do I defer to modern knowledge, to modern learning, to what people think today, to what we know at this present time which was not known in the past? It is inevitable that we occupy one or the other of those two positions."

D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones

"For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass away from the Law, until all is accomplished."

Jesus - Matthew 5:18

Blessings,
Linda

Moments

"We have this moment to hold in our hands and to touch as it slips through our fingers like sand; yesterday's gone and tomorrow may never come, but we have this moment today." *

Gloria Gaither's touching words have been flowing through my heart all morning as I thought about what I wanted to share today. Most of us, I think, have a bit of a struggle staying in the moment. We have a tendency to either look ahead to a future we dare to hope for or to look back in discouragement to the places where we've failed. Far too often we miss the miracle, the blessing, we hold in our hands.

I remember the long ago days when I was a brand new mama, feeling as inadequate and tired as I had ever felt in my life. My emotions bounced back and forth between this overwhelming love and absolute fear that I would do something wrong. I looked at friends with older children and longed for the day my little one would be just a bit older - when he could talk and play and walk and sleep through the night.

It didn't take long to realize how quickly time passes and to feel a bit of sorrow for not enjoying those early days the way I could have had I not been looking ahead. I missed much of the blessing of those first few months.

I'm over at Laced With Grace today. Won't you come join me there for the rest of this devotional? 

With love,

Linda

The Faulty Faucet

People are funny. I think that's a line from a very old television show. However that doesn't discount its veracity. I'm a people, and I can be so funny at times. Not exactly the "Ha Ha!" funny - the silly kind of funny.

As those of you who read my blog (and thank you so much for reading my blog) can attest, we've gone through a rather difficult spell. There's the house business I really can't talk about right now, and the torn retina, and the car accident - not to mention the trips to the ER with my 95 year old Dad and the just plain hard stuff that comes with much loved, aging parents.

I've had my moments - lots of moments. But I believe God is good, all the time - and with lots of love, support and prayers we've been taking one step at a time and making it through. In fact I thought I was doing fairly well until "the faucet."

Isn't it funny the way we can somehow make it through those dark times and then one seemingly insignificant thing goes wrong, and Shazam! - everything falls to pieces?

For the first couple of years in our new home, the kitchen faucet behaved just as kitchen faucets are meant to behave. You turned on the handles and a full-bodied stream of water poured forth. Several months ago, the flow suddenly diminished right down to a little pathetic trickle (I exaggerate, but it seemed that way.)

My husband spent a great deal of time out at the little pump house trying to discover the source of the problem - to no avail. Every other faucet in the house sent out gushing streams of water - all except that fool kitchen one.

Then one day as I was attempting to wash dishes, there was a little "hiccup," and the water began to flow through that faucet like nobody's business. Hallelujah! I gave thanks every time I turned it on.


Imagine my dismay when, a few weeks later, another little "hiccup" signaled the end of flowing waters and brought back the pathetic little stream. I could have screamed. Somehow I could deal with all the other stuff, but this was just one thing too many.

These pictures don't really do it justice. I think the camera adds a bit of "weight" to the water flow:) Honestly. It. is. so. annoying! If you want a sink full of warm soapy water in which to wash a few things, you can simply turn on the faucet, go read a chapter in a book or fold the clothes, or have a cup of tea and then come back to see if possibly the sink is half-filled yet.

Or you can put the big water pitcher under the faucet and go get the mail before it fills to the brim. It gives new meaning to the word multi-tasking.

Honestly, there are moments I'd like to rip it right off its stingy little pedestal. I've also been tempted to throw myself down and have a fit right there in the middle of the kitchen floor.

Of course, I haven't done either of these things, because my fixer-upper husband is trying to recover from a very bad chest contusion, and I don't think crawling around under the sink or messing around in the pump house is exactly what the doctor ordered right now.

So - shhh…don't tell him.  But the minute he's well - that faucet is in for it.

Thanks for letting me vent :)  I'm much better now.
Linda

Racism

This little corner of the blogosphere is a quiet one. The header says "From My Heart To Yours." It's only what I've ever wanted to do here - to share from my heart with honesty and transparency and to encourage others in the process. I've carefully stayed away from controversy and opted out of FB feeds that seem to degenerate into an endless cycle of discordant comments.

But I've listened to the voices that speak the hard truths and those that sound far different from my own. I've wanted to learn and to understand and make wise decisions to move when I know it is time to put action to beliefs. I've prayed to stay grounded in the truth of His word.

My heart aches over the unspeakable horror in Charleston. I want to say something that will add to the discussion, but I find my words so inadequate when great wisdom is required. Instead of trying to write a learned tome on race, I just want to share a story with you. One I've carried in my heart for many years.

When our sons were aged ten and seven, we adopted a baby girl. It was at a moment when I dearly wished I could freeze time. My heart delighted in those two - all adventure and little boy sweetness. The only thing missing was, perhaps, a splash of pink and lace. And so she came into our lives...

with sweet smiles, soft curls and - even at three months - a strong will. Our little country community embraced her - with handmade blankets, adorable dresses and so much love.

I remember the judge telling us, the day her adoption became official, that children of adoption were very special even in the eyes of the law. While it is possible to disown a biological child, that isn't true of an adopted child. They are forever yours. Oh yes.

I remember the day I took her into the nearest big town to do some shopping. The boys were in school, so it was just me and the baby. I carried her in my arms as I walked from store to store in the mall - that cute little bundle no one could possible resist.

It happened across an aisle as I browsed through racks of clothing. I made eye contact with a woman standing just a short distance from us, and before I could smile she gave me a look that spoke volumes. I don't even want to type the words out. Suffice it to say, in that moment I got just a little taste of what racism is all about.

I probably should have said something. I'm not good at confrontation. Besides, she wasn't the only one. It seemed everywhere I looked, I saw the same message clearly written in hostile eyes. I just left the store and drove home.

All the way home I wrestled with the hurtful feelings that filled me right up. I'm the girl who wants everyone to like her. I try my darnedest to please and not offend. How dare they judge me - us - on our appearance? They don't know us. They don't know our circumstances. How dare they think less of my beautiful baby based on the color of her skin. There was, I'm afraid to say, a sort of impotent rage at the injustice.

There was a shifting that day, a putting up of a protective shield, a wariness of strangers. Perhaps I had become a bit judgmental myself. I don't know.

My story is so small and insignificant in comparison to the stories of others. I hope the telling helps in some way.

Blessings,
Linda

Seeing the Miracles

Sometimes I choose to stroll through shadows - rehearsing the things gone wrong, regretting the mistakes of the past, dreading those things looming in some future place. If, instead, I choose to step out into the light and see with "other" eyes - those eyes He offers me - I see the miracles all around me. And oh the peace that comes from knowing He is there.

"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow."
James 1:17

Blessings,
Linda

Standing In the Waves

Sometimes they come in waves - rolling in and over, threatening to knock us off our feet in the backward pull.

We have been standing on the edge of the "sea," struggling to remain upright. Yesterday, after my husband's birthday lunch, we were involved in a car accident. Thankfully we were not badly hurt - just bruised and sore. Our poor car didn't fair nearly as well.

I've lost count of the waves. Yet when I look at them with honest eyes, I see His hand of protection and blessing over and over again. I haven't had the time to process it all, I only know the answers to any "whys" I might hurl at heaven are not the point. He is. We are.

Jesus spoke these words to His disciples shortly before His crucifixion:
 "…The Father is with me. I've told you all this so that trusting Me, you will be unshakeable and assured, deeply at peace. In this godless world you will continue to experience difficulties. But take heart! I have conquered the world."
 John 16:33

Those words must have made little sense as they witnessed His arrest, trial, torture and crucifixion. Three days later, they made all the sense in the world. Jesus stood before them having conquered death and the grave. All the suffering had purpose. He asks that we trust Him to do the same for us.

Everything that comes to us passes through His hands. I cannot understand the mystery of His will, but I have only to look at the cross to trust all will be well.

"…I have called you by name, you are Mine.
  When you go through deep waters, I will be with you.
  When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown.
  When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up;
  the flames will not consume you."
  Isaiah 43: 1b-2
  
We are well.
Linda

Encouraging Words For the Weekend

"I think that many of your troubles arise from an exaggerated anxiety, a secret impatience with your own faults; and this restlessness, when once it has got possession of your mind, is the cause of numberless trifling faults, which worry you, and go on adding to your burden until it becomes unbearable. I would have you honest in checking and correcting yourself, but at the same time patient under the consciousness of your frailty. Remember that Jesus our Lord loves to dwell within a quiet heart, and to come to those who are at peace with themselves; restlessness and anxiety hinder our seeing Him, even when He is beside us and speaking to us."
Pere Hyacinthe Besson (1816 - 1861)

Praying His peace will fill your hearts,
Linda

Much Afraid (2)

Sleep didn't come easily that night. She lay awake watching a running tape in her mind filled with all the things that might possibly go wrong: visions of the roadway suddenly flooding and their car carried away in the swiftly moving water; memories of rain coming down in torrents and being unable to see the road in front of you, of cars out of control and careening into one another.

She woke, after a fitful sleep, to a morning sky filled with ominous looking clouds. Whispering one more plea to the Lord to hold back the rain, she reluctantly got ready to go. Once in the car, she grabbed ahold of her husband's hand and asked him to pray.

They rode under clouds heavy with the promise of rain, but no rain fell. She felt herself relaxing a bit, when about an hour into the drive the heavens opened up. "Oh Lord," she whispered, " please."

In a matter of minutes, they rode out of the storm and once again it was clear sailing. Sometimes the road would be wet from a shower they had just missed. Other times a few drops would hit the windshield and then quickly the rain would taper off.

She gazed into the heavens at the swiftly moving clouds and felt a warmth fill her heart. "See," she heard Him whisper. "Don't be afraid. I'm taking care of you."

Peace settled into her spirit. To think He would do this for her, knowing how fearful she had become, knowing how desperately she needed to somehow see and feel His love and concern.

 Like a gentle benediction it came, this knowing He was there - would always be there. If she had to go through the storm, He would be with her and see her safely through. He spoke to her, in those moments, of His absolute trustworthiness. He spoke with gentleness and love.

There were no promises of unending days of clear blue skies. Those days are yet to come. But there was the promise that when the inevitable darkness comes, He will be right there in it with us.

"Do not fear for I am with you; do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; surely I will help you; surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand."
Isaiah 41:10

"But I have trusted in Thy lovingkindness. My heart shall rejoice in Thy salvation. I will sing to the Lord because He has dealt bountifully with me."
Psalm 13: 5,6

Blessings,
Linda

Encouraging Words For the Weekend

         
                                                              REMEMBER

"To say 'God is enough,' is to give an absolute and incontrovertible answer to every doubt and every question that has arisen or can arise. It may not seem to our consciousness that any prayers are answered, or any promises fulfilled, but what of that? Behind every prayer and behind every promise there is God… and if He exists at all, we know He must be enough.

 I have discovered that nothing else really matters - neither creeds, nor doctrines, nor dogmas. GOD IS; GOD IS UNSELFISH; AND GOD IS ENOUGH!"
 Hannah Whitall Smith

"This is what the Lord says:
 'Don’t let the wise boast in their wisdom,
    or the powerful boast in their power,
    or the rich boast in their riches.
   But those who wish to boast
    should boast in this alone:
  that they truly know me and understand that I am the Lord
    who demonstrates unfailing love
    and who brings justice and righteousness to the earth,
   and that I delight in these things.'"
        Jeremiah 9: 23-24

I pray that whatever you may be walking through today, your heart will find rest in the peace that comes from knowing God is enough.

With love,

Linda

Country Roads

 It really is quite unkind to end a post with: "to be continued" and then not write the next installment. I know. However, we are old, retired folks, and occasionally a day comes to us heavy with possibility.

Today was just such a day - sunshine, gentle breezes and a blue sky filled with puffy clouds. I had a yen for a ride in the country - specifically the one that leads to the Wildflower Farm. Being old, retired folks we went for our walk before hopping in the car and heading out to the Hill Country.

It was a perfect day for a ride.

Wildflower season is nearly over, but there were still these soft-hued fields.

Butterflies looped in and out of the rows of flowers.

On the way home, we drove by the Blanco River. The banks were littered with reminders of last week's floods.

 I think I could ride down country roads for hours on end (that is, if my legs didn't get all stiff after a couple of hours of sitting still). Old abandoned houses, immaculate farms, ponds sparkling in the sunlight, long stretches of grassland dotted with gently grazing cows - it all fills me with a sense of peace.

All that to say, I apologize for not writing the promised post. Soon.

Blessings,
Linda

Much Afraid

She checked the weather report for the dozenth time, hoping against hope it would somehow be different this time. Perhaps the storms wouldn't materialize after all. A check of the radar screens only served to increase her apprehension.

Outside dark clouds raced across the sky - the limbs of the giant oaks bent low by the force of the wind.   She had looked forward to the weekend for months, but even before the storms set in she had begun dreading the long drive on the busy highway. When had she become so fearful? Where was the hard-won sense of peace that had once infused her heart? When had she stopped trusting God?

She thought back to the time, years ago, when they had walked through the darkest days of their lives; when the longed-for miracle hadn't come and her heart had become cold and distant. How faith had slowly returned in the midst of the letting go, and trust in the goodness of God had birthed a peace in her soul. But time and circumstances, disappointments and heartache had begun to erode that quiet assurance.

Now in the midst of prayer, came doubt and fear. And questions. Why so much suffering? Why did prayers go unanswered - prayers so fervently prayed and miracles so desperately needed? Does trusting mean God will allow things in my life I fear I can't handle? What if He thinks what's best for me is the very thing I dread most? She struggled mightily not to be "double-minded" but to pray with absolute faith - knowing the truth yet fighting the fears.

She turned from the window and walked toward their bedroom. It was on the tip of her tongue to ask him to cancel the trip, but for once she remained silent. How weary he must be of her constant need to control and manage everything. Instead, she took down the small suitcase and began to pack.

to be continued

Blessings,
Linda

Abba

God is a God of many names.  Elohim – powerful God; El Elyon – God Most High; El Shaddai – Almighty God; Jehovah Rophe – The Lord Heals; Jehovah Rohi – The Lord is My shepherd; Jehovah Shammah – The Lord is There (to name a few). Each name reveals a different part of who He is. Whatever the circumstance, He is all-sufficient. He can meet every need.

I have found, as we’ve walked through some difficult times, that although I am in need of those names, there is one my heart cries more than any other. Abba – Father.

Many years ago, I knew an elderly man. He had pastored for years and still preached on ocassion though well past the age of retirement. He was a giant of man – both in stature and faith, with a loving heart. He drew me in. Whenever he wasn’t serving in another place, and I spotted him sitting toward the back of our church, I would make my way to him as quickly as I could….

I'm writing at Laced With Grace today. I'll meet you over there if you'd like to join me. Thank you so much.

Blessings,

Linda