Jun 15, 2011
I just spent most of my day at Martin Memorial North a hospital in South Florida.
My morning started with prayer and afterward I planned what I do with the rest of my day.
Those plans were put to a stop with one phone call. Our family friend and sister in Christ Catherine T. had collapsed and was on her way to the hospital. Her family needed our support and so off my mom , sister and I went. Cleaning the kitchen and buying paint for the walls seemed so pathetic in light of it all.
Later that morning I drove to the hospital with food and liquid, my mom was already there and my sister had stayed home.
A short time later I sat in a chair next to her husband Matthew and listened as he talked about whatever. He was in a haze of heartache as he waited knowing his wife was in critical condition. Around me sat other families waiting for their loved ones to wake up or get out of surgery.
I can’t imagine how hard it is for all of them but what I do know is that they were not alone in it all.
God was with them and so was His Bride, the Body of Christ! That morning I texted all the people I knew. Many from my beloved Gospel For Asia, others from previous churches, and still others in different states. These people are all separated by space but we are one in Christ coming together in prayer for a sister. How completely beautiful is that?!?
Then at the hospital a brother in Christ-Will-he does the power point at church and drove down to support them
A little later our Pastor-Greg came, then another sister Jen (from a different church!!) came to sit with the family.
I sat there in complete awe of our God. No other family in that waiting room had non-family members come to sit and pray with them.
As we neared the end of our time there Elaine called and asked if she could do anything. Tonight she is bring all of us Chicken dinner.
Walking out to our cars we were met with Ted and Cindy Joe a couple who had come to encourage Matt and hug him.
Finally home we were met with a note from my sister who had left for work. She had prepared the house and bedroom for Matthew and his girls (he was too shook up to go back to his house). Crazy amazing!!
That my friends is the body of Christ at work. The Bible says they will know us by our love for one another-I praise God that we could function like we were supposed to.
I pray that it doesn’t always take an emergency for us to work like that.
Please pray for Catherine and her family.
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May 26, 2011
One night I dreamed I was walking along the beach with the Lord.
Many scenes from my life flashed across the sky.
In each scene I noticed footprints in the sand.
Sometimes there were two sets of footprints,
other times there was one only.
This bothered me because I noticed that during the low
periods of my life, when I was suffering from anguish,
sorrow or defeat, I could see only one set of footprints,
so I said to the Lord,
“You promised me Lord,
that if I followed you, you would walk with me always.
But I have noticed that during the most trying periods
of my life there has only been one set of footprints in
the sand. Why, when I needed you most, have you not
been there for me?”
The Lord replied,
“The years when you have seen only one set of footprints,
my child, is when I carried you.”
Mary Stevenson
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May 19, 2011
One of my favorite book series as a child was “The Boxcar Children”. For those of you who haven’t read these great books – Henry, Jessie, Violet and Benny are orphans. (They have a grandfather but they don’t think he’d like them.) So they’re out on their own. One night they find a boxcar to shelter them from the rain and then they decide “Let’s live here. It’s a good place.”
I always admired Jessie and Violet. Jessie was so full of life and Violet was so sweet and positive. I wanted to be like them. I realized while reading the books again, that every other sentence Jessie says she “says laughing”. No wonder I thought she was friendly and fun. Do I have that joy? Every sentence Violet says is positive. She never complains. When Henry brings home a tablecloth that needs to be hemmed “Violet pleaded ‘Oh, may I hem the tablecloth?'” Am I there? Definitely not.
While growing up I wanted to be just like the boxcar children. They lived out in the woods, bathing in a creek, finding dishes in the dump, and solving mysteries. “So I’m pretty sure I’d still like to live in a boxcar” I thought the other day. It seems so adventerous to me. Out in the woods living simply and using what I have to survive. Then I was thinking, “Would I really want to live in a boxcar if someone let me right now?” The answer was probably not. I’d end up being pretty miserable wondering why I ever wanted to live without electricity and comfort. I’d end up complaining and be an all around unhappy person.
The boxcar children are so much fun because they have a positive attitude about everything. I realized, your boxcar is what you make it. I put that on an index card at my desk so I can remember that I can be positive or miserable anywhere in life. Maybe someday God will lead me to live in a boxcar – but I don’t think He will. Right now I’m looking at my desk as my boxcar. It’s right where I’m supposed to be so I’m trying to find ways to love it as much as I can and to look at every day as an adventure.
So… how’s your boxcar today?
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May 12, 2011
Amazing Grace
John Newton
(1725-1807)
Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.
T’was Grace that taught my heart to fear.
And Grace, my fears relieved.
How precious did that Grace appear
The hour I first believed.
Through many dangers, toils and snares
I have already come;
‘Tis Grace that brought me safe thus far
and Grace will lead me home.
The Lord has promised good to me.
His word my hope secures.
He will my shield and portion be,
As long as life endures.
Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
And mortal life shall cease,
I shall possess within the veil,
A life of joy and peace.
When we’ve been here ten thousand years
Bright shining as the sun.
We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise
Than when we’ve first begun.*
*Stanza 6 Unknown Author
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May 7, 2011
The more I’m involved in ministry and other people’s lives, the more I am desperate for time with the Lord. I was told “KISS” is an acronym used in the military: “Keep it simple, stupid.”
When I was younger, I had to live vicariously by playing “pretend” because I wasn’t old enough to do the cool stuff. But now that I’m older I’m not limited to my own backyard. This world is full of new things and the majority of it is marketed at our age group. That isn’t bad on its own, but I’ve found that if I don’t guard my time it’s wasted on something trivial, and I easily become overloaded and unable to function.
I have always been enamored with God’s simple, majestic beauty in nature. It’s one avenue for me to escape the city, pressure, and constancy of the world. I find it refreshing and freeing to re-center on God’s heart and calling on my life.
Clear your schedule. Leave your iPod and cell phone behind. Grab your Bible and a notepad, or just take a walk and talk to God. Let’s blaze a trail into the awesome depths of His love and promise for our lives.
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