![[IMG]http://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd472/dewbailey/_MG_8963-1.jpg[/IMG]](http://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd472/dewbailey/_MG_8963-1.jpg)
You are the Light
“So let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works,and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 5:16 NIV
Being Fully Alive
“The glory of God is the human being fully alive and the life of the human consisits in beholding God.” ~Irenaeus, disciple of the apostle John.
This weekend, live fully alive, beholding the beauty of God everywhere.
You are beautiful and I am thankful for you!
Deep Roots and New Growth
Times flies and I wonder how I accomplished so much in the earlier years. Perhaps I’ve begun to slow down, and be more intentional with the moments.
The house is destroyed, and though it is difficult to navigate through sea of toys, clothes, and toddlers with every step I take, I know the years pass all too quickly.
In a couple of years my baby will be thirty. Was I really that young when her father and I divorced? I felt so old at the time.
I miss so many moments of her youth, but I don’t have to miss these young ones – an opportunity to try again.
Yes, His mercies are new every morning, of every week, of every year, of every season. Mercies to allow another chance to restore what the locus have eaten.
Restoration seen in new growth from deep roots, new growth from fallen seed, new growth generated by the storms and the sun, for an inheritance to give to the next generation.
His mercies are opportunities, to give us hope, and encouragement, to try again, as we seek to navigate this terrestrial plain.
Life on the Altar
Finally, I can sit down in the old white wicker chair and enjoy the work of my hands. Cut grass surrenders is sweet fragrance causing me to inhale and relax.
The wind blows the pungent aroma of freshly dug earth and newly planted lavender across the porch.
The rhythmic sound of the sprinklers begin to lull me into a conscience stream of thoughts.
“Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children, and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you, and gvae Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.” Ephesians 5:1,2
So this is how it is with God. He works with us, tilling and planting; He works with us pruning and cutting back to bear much fruit, and when we give thanks to Him for all He has done it becomes this fragrant offering of love.
We remind ourselves so often of how much God loves us – so much that He sent Christ to die for us.
But how do I love the beloved?
On a life of altars. An altar of thankfulness. Sacrificing back to him a little of our time to recall the joy of this life.
Pruning back is painful, but the fruit to come, and the fruit that is, are the way we count it all joy.
Digging up roots and rocks from our soul to plant the peace of lavender – Joy!
How can I thank Him? Is there anything to good for my God? I wake up each morning, and if I can remember who I am, I begin a day of altars.
It will look like, going to the grocery store and listening for who He is pointing out for me to speak to.
It is holding the door and smiling.
It is praying for the one tailgating because my speed interferes with theirs.
It is sacrificing a part of yourself to give to others, to honor God, and to imitate, to walk in love…to be led by the Spirit.
This is life on the Altar, and a fragrant offering that is pleasing to the Lord.
How are you living an Altar Life?
Resting Your Head Between His Shoulders
Empty reads the gage on my car. Empty is the joy in my life as I, task after task, rip through the streets trying to accomplish all things on my to-do list.
Exercise, groceries – should have had quiet time this morning; maybe I can work it in this afternoon. I need to pray for others.
Please heal him. Please bless her – Oh, NO, I ran a red light! Too many things on my plate – I cannot catch my breath…
Have you ever seen an entertainer, who places a plate on a stick and spins it…
then another, and another, until he has a veritable jungle of spinning plates?
Once the plates are in motion, he pauses to admire his work. Then we watch as he runs from plate to plate spinning them, trying to keep them from crashing to the ground.
That is what my life looks like at times. I run from plate to plate, person-to-person, event-to-event, trying to keep everything from crashing to the ground.
“Of Benjamin he says, ‘May the beloved of the Lord dwell in security by Him, who shields him all the day, and Benjamin dwells between His shoulders.’” (Deuteronomy 33:12 NAS)
Oh, how I long to rest my head between the shoulders of Christ! But I have so much on the schedule that if I stop it might just run over me. If only angels would get groceries and start the supper.
“Benjamin is a ravenous wolf that tears his prey apart; in the morning he devours the prey, and in the evening he divides the spoil.” (Genesis 49:27 NAS)
That sounds more like my life.
Kill the beast! Check off the to-do list line by line. And if when checking it off I run an extra errand, I put it on the list just so I can mark it off!
It seems that God has given Benjamin contradictory instructions for his life. Or perhaps God is describing balance.
Work hard, kill the beast, but come and rest your head on my shoulder. Let me whisper life back into your soul.
How about you? Do you long for quiet, intimate time alone with Christ?
Yet the race becomes more intense, faster and harder, as you try to keep all plates the spinning.
“Take My yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart; and you shall find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” (Matthew 11:30)
And His hand, scared by love, reaches to the hand that is fair and whole, to release the burden to Him.
Then the waist, that poured both blood and water, bends to lift the burden surrendered.
Burdens caused by not asking for wisdom, before feet run to accomplish the task. Burdens of worrying in the night, from living in a fallen world; burdens created by knowing the Word, but not living the Word.
His yoke is easy and burden light, as is yours, when we rest our head between His shoulders.
A Mother’s Day Gift From My Daughter
I just want to share with you one of the gifts my daughter gave to me this morning. For those of you with difficult teenagers, I hope this will encourage you.
Happy mothers day to the woman who taught me God’s example of unconditional love. The woman who has loved and supported, listen, and been my role model. You have laughed and cried with me. You have encouraged me. You stood by me even when I was wrong. Thank you for making me the woman I am today. You are my best friend and I love you more than words could ever express! Thank you for all you have done for me! Happy mothers day momma!!
Just Jump!
What would you attempt, if you knew there were safe guards in place around you?
In what part of your life would you pull out your stops, and go full force into what you know God has planned for your life?
Even if it is a guess.
Jesus said he would guard you. He has got you back. So take the jump!
Joining with:
Deidra-Jumping Tandum, Sandra-Still Saturday, Dianna – Saints and Scripture, Katie -Scripture and a Snapshot
On Fridays over here a group of people who love to throw caution to the wind and just write gather to share what five minutes buys them. Just five minutes. Unscripted. Unedited. Real.
Today’s Word Is IDENTITY.
Ready? Go!
What is my identity ? I can not even try to tell you. I’m a mother, teacher, hygienist, wife, inventor, writer, artist…the list goes on.
I have no identity until I come in contact with you. To you I may be a friend, and encourager. I may be likeable, or unlikable. My identity may be intelligent, or dumb as a box of rocks.
To some I’m Gigi, Mom, daughter, wife, sister.
I know a lot of things I can do. But who I am depends on what you need, or what I need. The situation defines my identity.
The best measure of who I am, is to ask you, Who am I to you?
I think it is a valid question, from a reasonable point of view.
Part of who I am is a good friend…most of the time. Do you need a friend? Maybe for our situation, my identity is, Friend.
I Want More!
Walking into the kitchen, my bare feet stick to the floor where coffee was spilled earlier this morning.
“ugh!”
Soon the kitchen windows fog, as the sink fills in preparation for mopping.
Father in Heaven, is this all I was created to do?
Mop, cook food, clean dishes and laundry; I did all of this yesterday, do I have to do it again today?
God, Please! Don’t you want me to each Bible Studies, travel to other countries and minister, or something?
The daily grind can be so…daily grinding! Don’t you want me to do something of significance for you? I want more!
I turn to His Word for encouragement:
“He who is faithful in a very little thing is faithful also in much” (Luke 16:10 NASB)
Again He speaks:
“Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you.” (Matt 6:33 NASB)
And once more:
“For who has despised the day of small things?” ( Zechariah 4:2 NASB)
Okay, so maybe things are not so bad. Perhaps it is my point of view that is grinding and not the tasks before me. (Say it is not so!)
It is not that I HAVE to do this, but that I GET to do this.
Perhaps part of my act of worship unto the Lord is caring for the beautiful home that I have, and the wonderful people in my life. I get to prepare food for my family, and carry some of it to the widow down the street, or maybe the single mom who is exhausted from work and children.
Sometimes our most difficult days are because we have only focused inwardly. We are looking down at our own unpainted fingernails, and not at the beauty that surrounds us; And the privilege of participation.
Thank you Lord for not knocking me into next week when my attitude is much less than pleasing to you. Thank you for lovingly guiding me back to the truth of who you have created me to be , and what is really important.
I love you!
