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Respite For the Weary
Sometimes I need reminding of this in my walk with God...
I've started a new habit.
In the early morning, when I let my black lab outside, I now walk out with him. For a few moments, I stand on my patio, and look up into the dark sky. This blanket of blackness serves as a backdrop to all kinds of artistry in which the grand Painter uses to speak to me. Sometimes the tapestry is full of stars--spectacular! Sometimes it's only the moon--brilliant! And sometimes it's nothing; the fog barricades it all from view.
The other morning the sky was moonlit, but barely. A layer of fog was traveling by, causing the moon to be there and then, not there. There, and then, not there. Visible and then invisible. Of course, you and I both know the moon was always present, even when it seemed absent.
Sometimes I need reminding of this in my walk with God. There are times I have complete clarity--body, mind, and spirit. I know what path to take and I feel God's pleasure in it. But then, there are other times when I see nothing, and even feel nothing. (I tend to battle this type of feeling in January and into February.) In this foggy time, is God present or absent? Just like with the image of the moon being hidden behind the cloud, I must remember:
just because I can't see or feel him, doesn't mean he is not there.
God's man Job, shows us how to wrestle with this very thing:
Behold, I go forward, but he is not there, and backward, but I do not perceive him; on the left hand when he is working, I do not behold him; he turns to the right hand, I do not see him. But he knows the way that I take; when he has tried me, I shall come out as gold. Job 23:8-10
Notice Job declares both his feeling, "He is not here" and also the truth, "He is working."
Again, he feels this, "I do not see him" BUT at the same time, he declares this, "He knows the way that I take."
In other words, he might declare, "God, you seem absent, but I know you are present! I will put my hope in you!" And these are the very words my soul spoke to the Master Artist the other morning underneath his foggy moon.
So friend, remember this...no matter what you feel and don't feel, see and don't see...
God is present. God is working. God is refining. And God is good.
Across America, and the world, has Christmas become just another reason to throw a seasonal party?
Christmas is upon us, and we're all getting ready for...what? Is there a purpose behind this preparation? Across America, and the world, has Christmas become just another reason to throw a seasonal party?
I asked this very question to myself as I hung my wreath on my own front door. Why the wreath? Does this circular object have meaning, or is it just "pretty" and "fitting" at Christmas? And along with that, why the greenery and red ribbons that wrap around so many door frames, staircases, and mantles? I love the festive look, but is that it? When I asked these heart-questions, the Lord gently reminded me of a passage of Scripture:
Each household is to take a lamb...your lamb shall be an unblemished male a year old...the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel is to kill it at twilight. Moreover, they shall take some of the blood and put it on the doorposts..." Exodus 12:3,5-7
When my mind settled on these verses, the crimson red ribbons that accompany the evergreen boughs at Christmas became much more than mere traditional decor found on the shelf at Michael's. I suddenly felt a beautiful connection to the Israelites of old. Their Savior is my Savior. I have a Protector over my household as well. He has come, and He lives within. The greenery with red ribbon reminds me to bow my heart in humbled worship.
Here's another thought: Could the circular wreath we hang on our doors represent God's matchless love that is complete because of the birth, death, and resurrection of His Son? In your mind's eye, trace your finger around a wreath from top, to bottom, to top while reading these all too familiar words:
For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16
He came from heaven to earth to be with us, in order to bring us to heaven to be with him. The wreath proclaims eternal life all because of Immanuel!
So as the world celebrates, does the world know why? When you look at your wreath and the greenery at your door or on your mantle, celebrate your Savior. May the red ribbon remind you of His crimson blood shed for you and your household! Rejoice! His entry into the world has purchased your entry into heaven. This is what the world needs to know. Yes, may our homes and our hearts and our voices sing together, "Joy to the world, the Lord has come!"
Are you in the middle, loving on the old and the young?
Instead of going to Clarksville to care for my little grandchildren today, I'm unexpectedly sitting here in the hospital with my mom as she is having a gamut of tests run due to very low hemoglobin.
Some of you may understand this statement completely: I'm living in the middle.
On one hand, l'm holding the energetic young, and on the other hand, I'm holding the weary old.
A strong tie of love exists as l'm being stretched.
Both ends have its challenges, and some are strangely similar.
In this middle-place, what can I give to both other than my obvious physical care?
I know this sounds cliche, but I'm going to say it with sincerity...
I can give both generations Jesus.
I can sing "Jesus Loves Me" to my grandchildren and I can listen to my Bible app with my mama.
I can introduce "new" Bible stories to the "littles" and I can remind my mom of God's ancient promises.
I can pray blessings into the future and I can say thank you's for the past.
I'm reminded that It's not just my love that's holding these generations together, it's God's love.
And his love is beautiful, through and through and through.
Are you in the middle?
Embrace the Sandwich Years.
It's an honor to hold their tender, time-stamped hands.
Give both the young and the old your best love.
Give them Jesus.
No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us. 1 John 4:12
All too often, we choose to keep our dirty clothes on. We're too comfortable; we're too guilty; we're too passive; we're too self-righteous; we're too afraid to take the risk. If we really knew what it meant to wear his robe we would not hesitate to have Jesus himself wrap us in it. He's holding it up for us to put one arm in, then the other. Will we?
Who needs grace, raise your hand.
My hand is up high. I need grace upon grace!
In my newly released children's book Christmas Morning, a little girl unwraps her final gift. She opens a box to find...a crimson red rode. It's velvety soft, and on the pocket, her name is monogrammed in white. After all the other gifts she has opened (see previous posts) she is humbled that this exquisite robe was hand-stitched, made uniquely for her. When the little girl puts the robe on, she feels like she is wearing love itself.
Symbolically, the name of this gift is the robe of amazing grace and it is meant for each one of us who knows Jesus as Savior.
Can you believe the King of kings took off his royal robe and gave it to you and me? But even before he did this act, he, in his lovingkindness, first took off our own filthy garments. All our sin was removed and placed on him at the cross. He dealt with it there completely. It is finished.
Then he robed us in his righteousness. Now that's amazing grace!
Here are a few verses that speak into this truth:
I will greatly rejoice in the Lord; my soul shall exult in my God, for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation; he has covered me with the robe of righteousness... Isaiah 61:10
Now Joshua was standing before the angel, clothed with filthy garments. And the angel said to those who were standing before him, “Remove the filthy garments from him.” And to him he said, “Behold, I have taken your iniquity away from you, and I will clothe you with pure vestments.” Zechariah 3:3-4
For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich. 2 Corinthians 8:9.
And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son. But the father said to his servants,‘Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to celebrate. Luke 15:21-24
All too often, we choose to keep our dirty clothes on. We're too comfortable; we're too guilty; we're too passive; we're too self-righteous; we're too afraid to take the risk. If we really knew what it meant to wear his robe we would not hesitate to have Jesus himself wrap us in it. He's holding it up for us to put one arm in, then the other. Will we?
In the story, I chose crimson red for the robe because it represents royalty. When we accept Christ, we belong to a kingdom that will out last and out shine anything this world has to offer.
Become the little girl in Christmas Morning. Marvel at his amazing grace and humbly wear his robe. It's yours--your name is monogrammed on the pocket.
You are his.
How difficult it would be for us to walk around in complete physical darkness. Spiritually speaking, it's the same thing! Our souls, without Christ, are formless and void. Without him, we wander, we flounder, we fall.
In my previous posts, you can read about each of the different gifts in my newly released children's book Christmas Morning. (Now available on Amazon!)
In this post, the little girl in the story picks up the brightest yellow bag she has ever seen and unwraps...
a beaming lantern of light.
With much excitement, she decides to test its power by walking into a pitch-black closet. And sure enough the light overcomes the darkness, and she shouts "Joy to the World!"
Just as the other gifts in the book have symbolism, this lantern does as well. This light is meant to represent the Light: Jesus.
He says, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." John 8:12
Also, hear these words of truth:
God said, "Let there be light," and there was light. Genesis 1:3
...God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. 1 John 1:5
In him was life, and the life was the light of men. John 1:4
Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light to my path. Psalm 119:105
How difficult it would be for us to walk around in complete physical darkness. Spiritually speaking, it's the same thing. Our souls, without Christ, are formless and void. Without him, we wander, we flounder, we fall.
But then, the light of life enters in! He gives us Hope! His word guides our every step! When we look to him, we are radiant! And amazingly, we become his ambassadors. We now have a purpose much greater than ourselves. Jesus says to you and me today, "You are the light of the world...Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven." Matthew 5:14,16
Become the little girl in the story. Rekindle your lantern of glory if it's been waning. The world is dark and needs you. Be a part of the incredible privilege of overcoming the darkness in your time and place in God's redemptive story. It's why you are here.
There is no greater mission in life than shining his lantern of Light.
Take a slow moment to think on this truth: the Spirit of God abides in our hearts. He is love. He is beautiful. He is powerful. He is alive. He is kind. He is good. He is joy. On and on. When we submit to His Spirit, all these things stir up in us... and then exude out of us! We "smell" good!
In the continuation of sharing my children's book Christmas Morning, the little girl in the story delightfully opens up the fifth gift. (See previous posts for the proceeding gifts). She tears the pink and purple striped paper and opens a dainty box to find...
a small bottle of perfume. This heart-shaped bottle is attached to a necklace so she can wear it everywhere she goes.
As I have mentioned in my previous posts, each one of the gifts in Christmas Morning symbolizes a faith-based truth. In this case, the beaded necklace and bottled perfume represent the love of God in our hearts. When the little girl sprays the perfume, the whole room is filled with a beautiful aroma. The idea of this gift came from this verse in Scripture: Mary therefore took a pound of expensive ointment made from pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. John 12:3
Both the expensive ointment of Mary's and the little girl's perfume in the story, when poured out, result in a sweet smelling aroma. Everyone present is affected by the scent.
Take a slow moment to think on this truth: the Spirit of God abides in our hearts. He is love. He is beautiful. He is powerful. He is alive. He is kind. He is good. He is joy. On and on. When we submit to His Spirit, all these things stir up in us... and then exude out of us! We "smell" good! It is by no accident that God calls this outpouring the "fruit" of the Spirit! Doesn't all fresh fruit smell wonderful?
These verses emphasize God's love and its effect on us and others:
...And hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. Romans 5:5
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23
For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing... 2 Corinthians 2:15
Let my prayer be counted as incense before you... Psalm 141:2
We can be filled up to all the fullness of God (Ephesians 3:19)... for the purpose of being poured out! How wonderful to know that when we do this, whether it's through praying, serving, or using our unique gifts and talents, we will give off a pleasing aroma, first to God, and then to others in our appointed realm of influence. Let's not hold back!
Become the little girl in the story. Humbly, yet boldly, choose to fill whatever room you enter with the sweet smelling aroma of his Spirit.
**Guess what? Christmas Morning is now available on Amazon! The official launch will be November 1st, but feel free to beat the Christmas rush and purchase it now if you'd like! And if you love it, I would kindly ask you to leave a review, as this will continue to help this treasure book of truth move forward.
link: bit.ly/3VzhyW1
I pray that it will be a beautiful fragrance of God's love for all children and parents who open it.
So often, we as believers choose to go through our days with parched souls. The well of water is available; it's pure and refreshing, but we choose to live life on the run. His water REVIVES the soul, but we pass by it-- there's just no time to linger in his love. Or maybe, we choose to drink culture's kool-aid instead; the sugary drink is luring, but then it leaves us wanting. Until we understand that nothing will quench our thirst like his living water, our souls will remain parched.
The little girl in Christmas Morning has another mystery to unwrap! What will it be?
After dancing to the music box of joy (see previous post: https://www.respitefortheweary.com/post/the-making-of-christmas-morning-the-third-gift), the little girl sits down to open up... a beautiful crytstal goblet. And guess what? This goblet in not empty! Not only that, it is never empty! As a matter of fact, the goblet is full to overflowing! (By the way, Acacia, the illustrator of Christmas Morning, envisioned this picture in her head and then beautifully illustrated it for the book. I'm so thankful for her thoughts because the picture I originally had in my mind was so limited; I simply saw the little girl daintily sipping out of the goblet. But Acacia's picture is so much more accurate! It portrays abundance! This particular illustration ended up speaking into all the other pages of the book, giving Christmas Morning a "Narnia" feel.)
The name of this gift is: the goblet of living water. And as you can surmise, it is symbolic for the water that Jesus gives us through his word and his Spirit.
So often, we as believers choose to go through our days with parched souls. The well of water is always available. This water is pure and refreshing, but we opt out and instead live life on the run. His water revives the soul, but we decide that there's no time to linger in his love. Or maybe, we are drinking, but we choose culture's kool-aid instead; as a result, we are actually more depleted than revived. Until we understand that nothing will quench our thirst like his living water, our souls will remain parched.
Hear Jesus' plea:
“Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” John 4:13-14
Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters... Isaiah 55:1
But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. Psalm 1:2-3
As the deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God. Psalm 42:1
For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour my Spirit upon your offspring, and my blessing on your descendants. Isaiah 44:3
How will we answer his plea? Will we take a sip, then another, then another, until we are so filled up that we become an overflowing vessel of his hope and truth to all those around us? This is God's desire for you and me.
Open up the gift of his living word. No need to live with a parched soul when each one of us has been invited by our Savior to drink in his abundance.
Though he slay me, I will hope in him... Job 13:15
Dear Lord,
Give us an unwavering trust in you, no matter the circumstance or trial. Remind us, in the hardest of times, that you are a God of steadfast love and compassion. Embrace us, carry us, revive us. In Jesus' Name, Amen.