She sat on his knee during the evening church service. She could feel his warm breath on her neck, and his beard tickled her cheek when she would turn to whisper something in his ear. He wrapped his strong arms around her while she wiggled and squirmed keeping her from falling or sliding off to the ground. She held her little orange Bible and pretended to read. While the congregation sang she joined in her little girl voice swallowed by the deep rhythmic voice of her father. The service continued and she remained the princess on the throne of her daddy’s lap.
She opened her little orange Bible once more. This time something fell out. It was a little bookmark. The long haired blond child watched as it floated to the floor. She wondered what to do. She tried to reach it but it was too far away. Her arms weren’t long enough. That’s when she whispered in her daddy’s ear for help. With ease he swept the floor with his long arm and with ease he picked up the lost treasure and returned it to his daughter.
God is like that. When we decide to rest, and find contentment in His arms. He holds us safe and secure while we wiggle in squirm through life’s long message. We feel His presence blowing into our lives. He allows us to move without smothering us, and when something we treasure falls out of our reach and no matter what we try we can’t bring it back, and we realize we need the help of our Father’s long arm, we find He is quick and able to restore to us what was lost.
I was reminded as I witnessed father and daughter going through the motions of life of how effortless and worry free losses can be when we are resting in the strong arms of our Lord and Savior. If only I could remember not to struggle and fret but just whisper in my Savior’s ear, “it has fallen and I can’t pick it up” and rest in His ability to reach down and pick it up, to restore to us the thing that has been lost.

Striving…striving…striving…but never satisfied. 

The work is never done, nor the worrying, or the wondering.

The effort never enough, long enough, good enough…it’s never finished.

I am always chasing after

being the best mom, the perfect wife, the superior employee, the 24/7 friend who’s always there when called upon.

The mom with all the answers, the “cool” mom.

And then there is the guilt of not getting enough rest, not taking care of my body. 

Whatever I do it’s neither good enough or long enough to

lead to satisfaction.  

Ecclesiastes 1:  All the rivers run into the sea, yet the sea is not full.  

Ecclesiastes 2: 17 ” Therefore, I hated life because the work that was done under the sun was distressing to me, for all is vanity and grasping for the man.  (v. 24)  For what has man for all his labor, and for the striving of his heart? Nothing is better for a man then he should eat and drink.  That his soul should enjoy good in his labor.  This also I saw, was from the hand of God.  “

Life involves striving, labor and 

redundancy.  

I find myself striving to

get to work on time, 

say the right thing, 

Clean the house,

pay the bills, do the laundry,

be a good wife, take care of my body. 

Yet, I feel Jesus calling me to set these things aside and if I am going to strive

Then I must first strive to be in His presence. 

If I am going to chase after something then let me

Chase after Jesus.  

I will catch peace, satisfaction and joy in the chase when the object I am chasing is You, Lord.

From my Journal: May 28, 2013

I asked the Lord, “Why am I so tired? It seems I never get enough rest?”

The answer: “You’re not resting in me.”

Matthew 11:28-30

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

There are some days that fall under the “Title (optional)” title.  I think maybe today may have been one of them.  I went to work and did my thing on the phones.  People don’t like being called on Fridays.  Came home earlier than normal to check on Dan. He has a bad cold going on and I want to be diligent to keep an eye on him.  Things can happen quickly if he isn’t careful.  It was a year ago in April when a virus but him in the hospital for a week.  Isaiah is growing like a weed, and with it comes the weird body aches and feelings.  Tonight at supper he felt like his heart was palpating and it scared him.  Eli’s used to do the same thing and the more scared they get the harder/faster it seems to go.  His mosquito bites were itching too.  We took Em out for ice cream for her 12th birthday tomorrow.  She’s a sweetie.  Learned she and her family will be most likely moving soon.  We have been neighbors for 13 years.  It will be strange not to have them on my front steps whenever they want to come visit. I am happy for them and we are also looking to move.  

My anniversary roses are beautiful.  They have opened up  and are so fragrant.  I need to go to bed soon.  The house is so quiet.  I love this time of night.  Found lots of pictures from days gone by today.  

It is true that some friends are only there for a season.  Others well, are there for the long run.  But God and My Savior Jesus Christ He will never leave me or forsake me.  

Ephesians  4:23 – 5:2

“Therefore, putting away lying, let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor for we are members of one another.  Be angry and do not sin.  Do not let the sun go down on your wrath, nor give place to the devil. Let him who stole,steal no longer but labor with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has a need.

Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouthbut what is good for necessary edification that it may impart grace to the hearers. 

And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God; by whom you were sealed for the day or redemption.

Let all bitterness  wrath and anger, clamor and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice.  

And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.

Therefore be imitators of God, as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also loved and has given himself as an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling aroma.  (New King James Version)

That’s a lot to take in.  After reading this yesterday, I thought I should just bring some duct tape to work with me and slap it over my mouth.  Seems it’s much easier to just say whatever comes to mind, instead of focusing on speech that builds one another (edification) and is seasoned with grace ( undeserved favor).

I like how with every problem ( lying, stealing, anger issues etc.,) listed there is also a solution. For example, if you typically lie to your friends, (neighbors) start telling the truth.  If you’re angry you should do what you can to work out the problem before you call it a day.  I think it’s interesting how lying proceeds the anger comments.  Maybe the reason we are so tempted to lie or talk falsely about others, is due to anger that resides in our hearts towards those we are either lying about, or lying to.

If you steal, don’t keep stealing find good honest labor to do and then you will be able to bless others. I love that.  God doesn’t assume a person who steals is completely selfish.  He sets us up to think if I do the right thing, the better thing, I can in turn be a blessing to someone else.  Instead of hurting someone with my behavior (in this case stealing) I can be in a position to help them (be a blessing).

Let no “corrupt” word ….I have in my Bible the word “rotten” in place of corrupt.  This is pretty hard to do.  Things/people make me mad and I respond with a cutting word, sarcasm, or hurtful comments. Lord, help me to remember that I can build or tear down others just with simple words I say.  (This is where I need the Duct Tape applied. )

Apparently, it doesn’t just grieve others either.  I can actually grieve the Holy Spirit of God.  Grief implies sorrow, heartache, grave disappointment.  I don’t want to grieve God’s Holy Spirit.  Here He has sealed me with the very Spirit of God who enables me to desire and to do the right thing and I still rely on my own strength and fall back into my old behaviors.

How often do I grieve when I am willing to help others or my kids, friends etc. and able to help them but they refuse to take my gifts I freely offer  them.  That independent yet often willful spirit that will not bend nor flex until it becomes broken or strained under the pressure of life and it grieves those who love us the most to see us so miserable under it’s weight.

Finally, I am told that in order to imitate God I just need to be KIND to one another.  God showed me ultimate kindness in loving me while I didn’t deserve it.  I need to be TENDERHEARTED and show compassion to others, and finally exhibit the spirit of FORGIVENESS.  Just as God in Christ forgave me.

I am glad that I don’t need to depend on me to accomplish these things.  I am glad the Holy Spirit is sealed up inside of me and will help me overcome anger, language, attitudes that tear down instead of building others up.  His grace is sufficient and readily available.

James 1: 19 -22

¹⁹ My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, ²⁰ because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. ²¹ Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.

²² Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” (NIV)