“So he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him." Luke 15:20
Oh how we don't deserve God's mercy. I use to listen to the "Prodigal Son" story and think, "That's not fair! He doesn't deserve any mercy - he blew it all!" Now, a little older and stupider (no way I could say wiser!) - I understand this story much better. How many times have I blown it all, squandered all that God has given me and MORE - only to end up with the pigs - regretting it all. I come crawling back to God, wondering if He will even look at me...and yet there - he meets me - every time! Not only does he meet me, but he runs to meet me, and looks me in the eye - accepting me with open arms...again.
He RUNS - He RUNS to us! As soon as we make that turn towards home, we take the step back to Him - He RUNS to us! I'm not sure I'd even run to me...
Oh I don't deserve His mercy.
Today - I rest in His arms. Arms that He holds out for me, my mistakes, my issues, my messed-up-self-centered-me. I rest in His mercy, His grace, and His incredible love.
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Squeeze
This molding and shaping hurts sometimes
You are the potter and I am the clay
Weeping may endure for the night
But joy comes in the day
So hold me Lord, hold me tight
Squeeze me into your will
For in your hands is where I belong
It is your perfect will.
You are the potter and I am the clay
Weeping may endure for the night
But joy comes in the day
So hold me Lord, hold me tight
Squeeze me into your will
For in your hands is where I belong
It is your perfect will.
Think On These Things
And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Philippians 4:8
So much to think about, so much to worry about, get angry about, cry about, scream about, fight about...so much. In just one day I could exhaust myself in worry, anger, frustration, sadness, and more. I could get overwhelmed in my thoughts alone - and talk myself into how terrible and awful my world is. This world isn't pretty - and we weren't promised everything would go well - life isn't fair. But That doesn't mean I have to dwell on, I realize that I can't ignore it - but I can fix my thoughts in the right place.
I have a choice, a choice every day - and so do you. My challenge and yours is to make the choice to fix our thoughts on Jesus.
So much to think about, so much to worry about, get angry about, cry about, scream about, fight about...so much. In just one day I could exhaust myself in worry, anger, frustration, sadness, and more. I could get overwhelmed in my thoughts alone - and talk myself into how terrible and awful my world is. This world isn't pretty - and we weren't promised everything would go well - life isn't fair. But That doesn't mean I have to dwell on, I realize that I can't ignore it - but I can fix my thoughts in the right place.
I have a choice, a choice every day - and so do you. My challenge and yours is to make the choice to fix our thoughts on Jesus.
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
My Place Of Refuge
Psalm 142:5
Then I pray to you, O Lord. I say, “You are my place of refuge. You are all I really want in life."
As a mom finding "refuge" in my day is almost like a scavenger hunt, one I rarely win at. Even with kids back in school there are a million and one things I want to do, a hundred I need to do, and few that really get done. I start out with great intentions and then one thing changes, and plan W (for "whatever") takes it's place. I can't imagine I am the only one, this happens to...I hope I'm not. And please let me say I am NO WAY saying I have it worse than anyone else - my life looks boring compared to others I know. But for me, it's hard to find those moments of refuge.
I suppose if I had a day where I could chose what to do without any consequences (like stacked up laundry, dishes, and hungry mouths to feed)I'd probably choose a quiet, dark room, with Christian music playing (new stuff I've never heard), and a hammock - maybe a soft gentle breeze or rain falling in the background. Hey a girl can dream right?? But I know this room would have a door, and eventually on the other side I'd hear knocking, talking, questions that need immediate answers (like "What's for dinner?" or "Where's the remote?"), and other very important stuff.
Life doesn't ever stop does it? Even if we get a moment "away". I love being a mom, a wife, and for the most part - I enjoy being needed. But honestly it does get overwhelming at times and I want to scream "CALGONE TAKE ME AWAY!!" I may be out of Calgone but I'm never without Jesus. He is my refuge, His word quiets my anxious thoughts, and His strength gets me through yet another day. Even if nothing gets done on my list - He is all I really want in life. Nothing else matters, nothing else compares, and I can't do it without Him (I don't know why I even try).
Psalm 84:1-4 says: How lovely is your dwelling place, LORD Almighty! 2 My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the LORD; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God. 3 Even the sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may have her young— a place near your altar, LORD Almighty, my King and my God. 4 Blessed are those who dwell in your house; they are ever praising you.
I was made for HIM and HE was made for me - and in HIM alone I will find rest.
Then I pray to you, O Lord. I say, “You are my place of refuge. You are all I really want in life."
As a mom finding "refuge" in my day is almost like a scavenger hunt, one I rarely win at. Even with kids back in school there are a million and one things I want to do, a hundred I need to do, and few that really get done. I start out with great intentions and then one thing changes, and plan W (for "whatever") takes it's place. I can't imagine I am the only one, this happens to...I hope I'm not. And please let me say I am NO WAY saying I have it worse than anyone else - my life looks boring compared to others I know. But for me, it's hard to find those moments of refuge.
I suppose if I had a day where I could chose what to do without any consequences (like stacked up laundry, dishes, and hungry mouths to feed)I'd probably choose a quiet, dark room, with Christian music playing (new stuff I've never heard), and a hammock - maybe a soft gentle breeze or rain falling in the background. Hey a girl can dream right?? But I know this room would have a door, and eventually on the other side I'd hear knocking, talking, questions that need immediate answers (like "What's for dinner?" or "Where's the remote?"), and other very important stuff.
Life doesn't ever stop does it? Even if we get a moment "away". I love being a mom, a wife, and for the most part - I enjoy being needed. But honestly it does get overwhelming at times and I want to scream "CALGONE TAKE ME AWAY!!" I may be out of Calgone but I'm never without Jesus. He is my refuge, His word quiets my anxious thoughts, and His strength gets me through yet another day. Even if nothing gets done on my list - He is all I really want in life. Nothing else matters, nothing else compares, and I can't do it without Him (I don't know why I even try).
Psalm 84:1-4 says: How lovely is your dwelling place, LORD Almighty! 2 My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the LORD; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God. 3 Even the sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may have her young— a place near your altar, LORD Almighty, my King and my God. 4 Blessed are those who dwell in your house; they are ever praising you.
I was made for HIM and HE was made for me - and in HIM alone I will find rest.
Monday, January 3, 2011
I've Missed Being Here
It's been over a year not having a laptop computer, my computer screen went out right after Thanksgiving last year - of course right after the warranty had gone out as well. I've survived on my iphone and the home computer, but it's just not as easy or convenient - and so I put away the blog and returned to paper and pen writing. I'm not as disciplined with pen and paper, and my carpal-tunnel doesn't allow for me to write for very long...it just wasn't the same.
My wonderful husband gave me his old laptop this Christmas, all cleaned up and running well - it's good to be back online. It's been another adjustment, retraining myself to use the computer, instead of my iphone to check email or google something (funny what you get use to). What I have looked forward to most, is getting back to blogging. Not that I think anyone reads it, it's good to be back.
My hope is to take a few moments each day and find a "resting place" to make sure my focus is in the right place and my heart stays on the right ONE. I don't plan to be profound or enlightening but just honest - especially with myself.
It's good to be back...
My wonderful husband gave me his old laptop this Christmas, all cleaned up and running well - it's good to be back online. It's been another adjustment, retraining myself to use the computer, instead of my iphone to check email or google something (funny what you get use to). What I have looked forward to most, is getting back to blogging. Not that I think anyone reads it, it's good to be back.
My hope is to take a few moments each day and find a "resting place" to make sure my focus is in the right place and my heart stays on the right ONE. I don't plan to be profound or enlightening but just honest - especially with myself.
It's good to be back...
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