Revelation to Inspiration

It’s funny how unexpected life can be.  The choices people make affect those around them.  Paths never foreseen are under our feet and we meet people on the sojourn.  Think about it.  If those choices were not made then those influences would never have been instilled into your life.  Can you imagine never having known certain people once they’ve imparted themselves into your life?  Whether good or bad the folks we meet in this life journey impact us for better or for worse.  We however have the choice to take the bad with the good, to learn and grow or let it bury us in the ground of despair and thus become stagnant people.  Personally, I choose growth.

It’s ok to make mistakes and to learn from them.  Isn’t it better to look into the mirror of truth and improve oneself than to feed off the lies and become embittered in self-pity?  Yet, it seems we live in an age of “self”-awareness in the negative context.  Meaning, it’s all about “me, me, me” and what can “I get” and what can you “do for me”?  Altruism is considered a prehistoric ideology and criticized by the mainstream.  Yet, the revelation is that goodness is worth standing for.  We meet people along the way who encourage us to be better than the “norm” of today.  There are people who inspire us to dream and to go after those dreams.  Those who lend out a hand to pull us up when we’ve been knocked down, and walk with us a little longer to make sure we are strong enough to continue on.  People who believe in us when we don’t believe in ourselves and encourage us to step into all we can be and we're meant to be. 

God, I thank You for using the confusing and unexpected choices of others to get me on the path you planned for my life, and for all of those people you put along that path. I don’t know if those were detours or original routes but I know I can trust that no choice any of us makes surprises You, and that You have a way of working everything out for our good and Your glory.   

Thank You for those who are so gritty that you use them like sandpaper to smooth my own rough edges.  For those who inspire and encourage and motivate me to move forward towards the destiny you have for my life.  I pray for the strength and courage to stand against the “norm” of today’s society and to keep compromise far away from my heart so that I can encourage and strengthen others who desire to do the same.  Let my life be an inspiration and a light to others as those who have been a light and inspiration were for me. Link each one of us together to become like a great chain connected to one another until we wrap the world completely in Your love and goodness!

Getting personal

Ok, I'm going to get personal in this blog entry.  I doubt anyone is even really reading it.  I mean there are billions of people in the world and you put something out there online, and in reality it truly can be obscure and never reach a soul.  This was going to be an outlet for me to put my thoughts out there into cyber space in hopes that maybe something I said could maybe, just maybe encourage someone somewhere in this little big planet of ours.  But fact is.....lately, I've been needing the encouragement myself.

There have been many big changes that have occurred in my life recently and still I am in limbo....floating around like a loose helium filled balloon over a forest of pine trees.  So often lately it seems like I'm losing my air and eventually going to pop from landing on one of those pine needles and be lost forever.  I'm not talking faith here....but myself.  Everything for the past few month's has felt like a wilderness.  I'm not alone.  I am surrounded by family who loves me, but yet, something is missing.  Connectivity.

We live in a day and age where social networking is supposedly bringing people together...but in reality it seems like it's tearing us apart from real human bonding.  All of us are seeking to belong;  to be liked;  accepted...loved.  Yet we live in an age of walls of isolation and our ideas of relationships are rated by how many friends we have on facebook or followers on whatever blog or twitter we have.  Yet, with all of this "social" networking people are more lonely than ever.  I guess this is where I am at.

One of the major changes was a big move halfway across the country.  I wish it was the picture perfect little package with job, home, moving truck, etc.  But it wasn't.  It was a leap of faith.  One leap where I felt pushed out of the boat to make.  I guess I wasn't budging on my own.  The jobs came pretty quick and with incredible favor.  Now though, how do I connect to others?  I have faith and I am passionate about my relationship with God and His Son.  I want to be a reflection of His light and love while I'm alive in this world.    sigh.....This entire journey has been challenging my attitude.  I have to choose how I'm going to react to our circumstances.  Be careful what you pray for I guess because if you pray for a pure heart.....you're going to be challenged beyond your comfort zone.  Hopefully you'll choose an attitude of gratitude rather than a pity party.  At first I found myself peeking into that party more than I'd like to admit.  I'll be honest...I can still hear the loud music no matter how much I try to distance myself from it, but I refuse to go back inside.  So...every time I here those negative thoughts pop up in my head I say to myself out loud something that opposes those thoughts even if my feelings aren't quite caught up with them yet.  Not easy but not impossible either....again, it's a choice.  Ugh...sometimes I don't like free will.  Some days I just want God to make me do what I need to do so it gets done.  He has my permission to kick me in the right direction!

Back to the lonely thing.  Where are the hungry people??!!  I went to church when we first arrived and loved the message the leadership was going to preach on:  The Kingdom of Heaven.  I mean YEAH!  After the very high tech video intro I was so geeked that I couldn't help but yell.  However......it was dead silence all around and my yelp was too obvious.  I wasn't embarrassed for myself, I was sad for the people.  HOW am I supposed to meet people in what's supposed to be a "safe and friendly" environment when all you can get is a pasty smile, a weak hand shake and crickets in the sanctuary?!  Yeah, I went a bunch of times.  Loved the messages and took notes in my heart.  God, where are your children?!?!

Now, I have this job that keeps me working every weekend and holiday.  Not so bad really, but it puts a damper on opportunities to meet people.  You know how it is in new work environments?  You are the outcast.  The awkward one.  But I don't want to be too friendly with people I work with.  Gossip!!!!  That's why!  I am grateful for the job and the socialism although limited.  It is a blessing.  We need the income.  But I want to connect to people, not just do business transactions.  Wilderness, floating above the pine forest.

What did Jesus endure when he went into the wilderness?  I read it and read it.  His life is our example right?  He suffered loneliness and isolation.  His only followers weren't on Twitter, but was Satan tempting him to worship him.  Here is God as flesh and having to wander alone in the wilderness of the middle east.  YUK!  That makes my mouth parched just thinking about it.  I don't like sand or even the mere idea of desert sand, or even of desert.  Nope, not for me.

Back to Jesus' experience.  What happened to Him for those 40 days and nights?  I mean we only glean a glimpse, but I would imagine it sucked.  I know what I"m dealing with is the pits emotionally.  Darned feelings.  And I have people around me.  But he was literally alone AND not eating - even worse.  Like salt on a 2 inch gash on the most sensitive area of your body.  Jesus....how did you do it?  What were your thoughts?  What did you feel?  How did you wrestle with your flesh and with Satan and not succumb to temptation?  Couldn't you have given us a little more input?  God, why do we feel alone when we are surrounded by people?  What is the problem here?

I thought I had friends from where I moved from, but I guess I was mistaken.  Getting really tired of hearing about how busy people are.  You have time to watch tv 4 hours a day or play on the computer for 2 hours doing absolutely nothing productive and you're too busy to write me back?  Ugh.  Yeah, said I was needing the encouragement.  I forgive them and let it go.  Que Sera Sera right?  Still miss them though, even if they have forgotten my friendship to them.

I'll write more later.  Have to go to bed now because, praise to God, I have a job!!!  :) 

I wish…

By Holly Fisher

I wish…

I had the words to say,

Words to take the pain away,

Words to lighten a heart so gray

But I haven’t any words to say.

I wish…

            There was something I could do,

            Something meaningful just for you,

            Something so you wouldn’t feel so blue,

            But I can’t think of what I can do.

I wish…

            Your days would always be sunny,

            And your life would be sweet like honey,

            That you could live with all in harmony

            But where would go your testimony?

I wish…

            For you only the very best,

            For you to find a time of rest,

            That your life wouldn’t be such a test,

            But it’s through these times you’ll be blessed.

I wish…

            Your heart could see past the pain,

            That you could believe it’s not in vain,

            That through the trials you’ve much to gain,

            But from your anger you must refrain.

I wish…

            That one day you’ll understand,

            That your life had been in God’s hand,

            He hasn’t left you alone to stand,

            And His plan for your life is far more grand.

I wish…

            That you’ll keep praying for hope,

            And through the trials you’ll continue to cope,

            That you’ll remember this when you mope,

            And look beyond the moment with hope.

I’ve no more wishes to wish for you,

For I’m lifting your life to one so True.

He’s the only One who can help you thru,

And makes every morning bright and new.

Compassion

Pain does not discern between causes.  Whether the pain of tragedy, disease or a broken relationship, it all hurts the same.  The heart does not differentiate from one or the other.  The ache is the same.  The tears are all wet;  the sorrow is felt in the pit of the womb, and the heart still feels like it’s cracking open. 

More often than not we live in our little parts of the world about our business and things are just fine.  But somewhere in other parts of the world, maybe even as close as next door, there is a cloud of sorrow indwelling.  In other places there is rejoicing, celebration, excitement.  When one person is hurting not everyone hurts.  When some are celebrating, a wedding for instance, others are grieving over the loss of a loved one.  There are people falling in love at one place and others breaking apart in another.  A baby is born and a baby is lost.  Tragedy, rejoicing, sorrow, joyfulness…at the same time in different places. 

Some how it feels wrong to be happy when others are sad.  But when I look at the goodness of the Lord and see how He cries when we cry, laughs when we laugh and rejoices when we celebrate it makes me think.  God is aware of all of the injustices, all of the sorrows and of all the joys in the world.  He knows of every man, woman and child and their circumstances.  He can step into each life at the same time.  He simultaneously weeps, laughs, grieves and rejoices with us. Who can fathom such compassion and love? 

Compassion is to cry with others who are crying;  to laugh with those who are rejoicing; to hope with those who are praying; to stand alongside of our neighbors in whatever season they are in, just as Christ does with us.  We can’t be in all places at one time, but we can look around us right where we are at and open our eyes to see if there are those near us who are in need.  Sometimes the need is someone to share their tears, their hurts, their fears, their good news, bad news, answered prayers, prayer requests or whatever it may be.  Sometimes we all just need some compassion, not correction or instruction, just someone who cares.   Can we be willing to take on the sorrows of others when we are celebrating?  Can we still rejoice in the blessings of God while others are suffering? 

Lord, help us to be sensitive to those around us, but to also show gratitude for the seasons of joy in the lives of others as well as our own.  When sorrow comes to our lives bring others alongside of us to share in our heart aches as we share in theirs.  Let us live lives of love and compassion towards all we encounter. Help us to see the opportunities before us that we may reflect Your love light.  Give us eyes to see the seasons in the people around us.  Give us the same compassion in our hearts that is in Yours.

Abandonment

Listening to a lonely dog howling this morning and my heart felt sorrow for this poor pup who was abandoned by her owners.  Red tape and laws create more isolation for this throw away friend.  As we approach her she runs away and hides from those who would try to help her.  It doesn’t make sense when she is so lonely.  Yet, it makes perfect sense.  She longs for her family to return for her.  Hopefully they will get here soon she thinks. She is hungry, thirsty and alone.  Too scared to go out to those who approach her with a helping hand of love and kindness. 

How often are we like this poor dog?  Do we not all experience abandonment at different points in our lives?  Abandoned by those who professed to love us, by those we trusted.  Love we had escapes our hearts and we are left feeling empty and alone.   Sometimes our own hearts abandon us.  We lose our confidence, our dreams, our aspirations and hopes, and are left reeling in doubt and discouragement.   Questions plague our minds.  Understanding and reason haunt our thoughts day and night.    

Abandonment puts up walls around our hearts to guard us against others we fear will do the same.  Fear and distrust become close companions but to our own demise.  We don’t always understand the why’s or how’s because most often, life doesn’t share the answers to its tests.

God, You said you would never leave us or abandon us.  If we were to go to the highest heavens You would be there.  Should we reach down to the deepest depths, there You would be also.  There is no hiding from Your presence.  In these times of abandonment when we feel alone, heart- broken, confused and lost, may we feel You right beside us.  May we find comfort in knowing that Your eye is always on us, that Your heart is ever loving us, and that there is hope in healing from these wounds that scar us.  Help us to not to be afraid, but to step out in courage and continue to take risks, knowing we could be hurt again.  Let us be so confident in Your faithfulness that we knock down those walls of isolation and distrust and live vulnerable to those around us.  Without faith it is impossible to please You.  Help us wounded warriors live with such faith that we can press into You through the heart ache of abandonment and take that pain and use it to love more passionately, live more fully, and trust more than is reasonable.  Help us to never lose hope in humanity and to see others through eyes of mercy.  May we not lean on our own understanding but trust You in everything.  Remind us that we are never alone.

Everyone has a story

Whenever I am driving or out and about doing the mundane tasks in life I cross the path's of many people.  So often I get so caught up in my task that I miss them.  How many people do we pass by every day?  And with those how many do we acknowledge?  And for those we acknowledge, how many do we consider?  My point is that every one has a story.  That person who cuts you off may be distracted with some pressing situation or just distracted because of their own daily agenda.  That burnt out cashier who doesn't even acknowledge you in any fashion of real interest may be having a very bad day or maybe has just been feeling just as invisible by their customers.  What about the rude person who cut in front of you in line?  They may have a bad marriage at home, a kid on drugs, a sick parent and are just at their whits end in stress because they are trying to take on the entire load by themselves.  Now I'm not saying these are always the cases, but what I am saying is that EVERYONE has a story.

My prayer is that I take notice of the people I pass by.  May I be sensitive to them as fellow humans and offer them kindness, a warm smile, a sincere greeting and even my place in line.  I hope to be patient and not in a rush to save myself an extra minute when I can and should sometimes give it to someone else.  Let my eyes see others with value rather than seeing myself as more valued than them.  Tug at my heart for those who may need some kind words, a genuine complement or just an aknowledgment that they are not invisible.  Maybe You can let me share a word of encouragement to someone who needs to know You care.  Whatever the situation, I pray I will be available to be Your hands or Your voice to share Your heart to these precious beings You created.  Let me be a vessel to showcase Your beautiful Love as I go about my daily duties.  May the menial tasks become missions of Your goodness.

A new generation

I thank God for our youth.  They are creative, intelligent, outgoing, and a spark for our future.  We must encourage them, strengthen them with love and support, and pray for them.  They are growing up in a world that seems to be against them and they need hope.  These young people are our hope for the future and they need to have hope.  Lord, let them radiate a rainbow of goodness on the earth.  Let us help them to find their gifts and talents and encourage them to pursue their dreams.

When I see the many creative ideas on youtube, tumblr, etsy and pinterest posted by this young and vibrant generation I am amazed!  They are full of ideas and talents and individuality that must be cultivated like a precious garden so they can bring in a bountiful harvest of goodness!

There is too much discouragement put upon these young people.  None of these youth should be tossed out of society as if they have no value.  Maybe because they feel they do not matter they put up walls around their hearts and display hardness and callousness to others.  But there are many, many more who are just hungering to be reassured that they matter and have worth in our society because some day they will be the leaders and idealists for their youth.  Raise up this generation Lord to be an army of Your Light and Love in this world! Raise up courageous adventurers with hearts full of passion and integrity!

blowing bubbles of thanksgiving

There's so much sorrow and suffering in the world.  Heaven must certainly be bombarded with prayers from broken and shattered hearts every day.  What if instead we could blow up the Heavens with praises and thanksgiving for our many blessings.  Could this bring a balance into the world that is being inundated with darkness?  One can hardly believe the cruelty humans can inflict upon one another.  Maybe if we can lift up our voices and thoughts and hearts to God and thank Him for the many splendors He has given us that we take for granted we can bring down His glory to break the darkness with His light and love!

We are surrounded every day with noise:  cell phones; computers;  televisions;  ipods;  cars; people; life in general.  The noise of our worries and circumstances overwhelm us and we naturally want to escape to more noise.  I pray we can stop and listen.  Stop and shut our eyes and tune out the man made noise and distractions.  Stop and take our thoughts to those beautiful events in our lives, or even to the sounds of God's creation all around us.  Can we take time to breathe in the air, or feel the breeze or rain drops on our faces?  Can we listen to the magnificence and power of the tides or great winds, the thunder and lightning and realize there's something greater and bigger than us out there.  What about the symphony of the trees dancing in the breeze as their leaves rustle and the birds sing their song in harmony?

Isn't the sky so vast and big and full of displays of splendor and majesty?  Is not life a great miracle in that we are these incredible machines that function and are so intricate in design?  How is it we have the ability to love and laugh, to cry and hunger and feel joy and sorrow?

There is a delight in seeing people holding hands as they stroll past us.  The love of an elderly couple walking side by side having shared decades together weathering the storms of life together and holding onto a bond deeper than we can possibly fathom.  The love of a mother holding her child and wiping away their tears and the power she has to give the child hope that everything is all better because of her compassion and kisses.  There is joy in listening to the laughter of children playing because they have no cares in the world and life is meant for adventures and nothing else matters.  The world is theirs to conquer!

There is just so much to be grateful for!  Everywhere there is still light and goodness in the world and we must sometimes fight to see it when it feels like the world is falling apart all around us.  I think it is tragic when we forget to stop and see the treasures right before our very eyes.  Lord, open our eyes to see Your many gifts that we may have hope and find peace even in the midst of our own storms.  The sun always shines again if we take time to just soak in its rays of life and find our rejuvenation once again.

Yes, we have much to be thankful for.

We've lost our way...

Jesus, forgive Your church.  My heart grieves over how lost we've become.  There are those who rejoice that the world hates us, yet it isn't because we are without fault like You were Lord.  It's because we are at fault.  The world hates us because we have been without love towards them or even worse towards one another.  In Your Word you said "If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first. ..."  But You did good while you were in the world.  I know there are members of the Church that indeed ARE doing many good things.  But the part of the Body in the Western world is lukewarm, self involved, compromising, legalistic, self-righteous, critical, judgmental and without love.  They don't love themselves with the Love You've given us Lord!  We need You!!!  Forgive us Lord, we don't mean to be so ignorant in our ways.  We think we're doing right, but without understanding our worth to You we have gotten it all mixed up.  

We are a confused Body Lord.  Please enlighten us with Your heart towards us that we may reflect Your Love towards others.  Jesus, you never badgered, condemned, criticised or belittled the lost.  You loved them into Your Kingdom.  We need to be like You.  Give our hearts compassion again Lord.  Help us to forgive ourselves even so that we can extend that forgiveness outwards towards others.  Help us to cover over offenses rather than to take them on.  Humble our hearts towards Your heart Lord and give us eyes to see others as You see them.  You love those who hate you Lord and we too must love those same people.  

Forgive us Lord for our division.  The world sees we are divided and how can they possibly believe we have any answers at all when we build our earthly sanctuaries right next door to eachother and are without fellowship?!  God we have lost our way and taken a degree off course some time ago and now we are so far away from our original destination.  Lead us back on course that we may be partakers and distributors of Your glory here on earth and advance Your Kingdom.  Raise up Your people Lord to be a light in the world as You said we were to be!  Draw us together and may the world see this unity growing.  

If they are to hate us, let it be because we are a light that exposes the darkness, not because we offer them no hope.  We need to point to You in love, unity, with moral excellence and integrity Lord.  Help us to live lives of such love and goodness that You smile upon Your people and the world is affected by Your glory!

You have given us the Keys to Your Kingdom Lord, let us remember how to use them!