I have drawn the same picture all of my life. It is a simple picture of a large tree with fruit on it, a house with smoke coming out of the chimney, flowers, and a bright smiling sun. As far back as I can remember, I would draw that picture whenever given an assignment to draw or even as an adult doodling on paper.
My journey with God has revealed to me over time how that picture has been a dream fulfilled in my life. A few years ago, He showed me that I am the tree, filled with fruit and offering shelter to others. His hand on my life in family, business and friendships has shown me that is true. The house represented a desire I had for a solid, loving, happy home. It also represented my desire for a pretty home, with light shining out its windows and enjoyable company within. For years I passed houses as we traveled from our home to our parents' homes out of town and longed for a house that I felt good about. I was out walking one night a couple of years ago and realized that I now have that home. It is simple. It is a dream home. It is a reflection of our family. The flowers are yet to be here - but I have hope because one of my dear "adopted" sons has started a landscaping business in Atlanta this year, and I know his new interests will help us get more landscaping done!
I have struggled with an intense sense of being a loser a lot of my life. It is an area that satan worked in since my very young years, trying to create a sense of shame about myself. I was ashamed of my face, my status in life (or lack thereof), and frequently had to gulp for some air of truth. Satan worked so hard to spin in my mind a sense of being shameful.
Peace by piece is the name of this blog, because that is exactly what my journey with the Lord has become. Every area of my life that lacked peace is being made whole in my relationship with Jesus. I realized this weekend as a friend and I were sharing our lives how my childhood art was my childhood heart. And now at 58 years old, I realize it is complete. Our home is a healing house. God brings people into our lives to bring them His healing. And very often, He does it right here in our humble abode. I am awed as I think of how true this is. It is a work He has given to me and my husband together. It is a holy thing. We joke that in our life, "flip that house" means change the beds, clean the bathrooms, restock the frig, because new folks are coming! As I prepare for some to leave and new ones to come this week, I delight in the awareness of just how wonderful my life has become.
What about you? What are your dreams? What are the lies you keep believing that hinder your joy? Give it some thought. Talk to God about it. "Down in the human heart, crushed by the tempter, feelings lie buried that grace can restore." (Fanny Crosby, from a hymn entitled, "Rescue the Perishing.")
Monday, June 28, 2010
Saturday, June 26, 2010
If we only knew....
We have a precious 11 year old in our life. She has been a gift from God to let us have the joy of helping someone who has not had a very good shot at life before now. She is being raised in the innercity housing by her grandmother, who is doing her best to protect her and encourage her life. She has tried twice in her young years to take her life because her mother's problems and the sinful acts of man have been more than she could take. Our enemy who roams around the earth looking for someone to devour has had his sights set on her. But God, who is rich in mercy, has brought her into the lives of His people through a teacher at her school, and her life will never be the same because of Him.
Children who grow up in a survival state don't learn at a normal pace. In some ways, our girl is like a two year old, in need of much affirmation, love, attention and training. She has a deep love for God and a great desire to know and please Him. She prays precious prayers of thanksgiving and confession as she sees things in herself that need to change. Her academic level is lacking, and we are working hard to catch her up for school this fall. Sometimes she simply shuts down because her laziness and fear of failure and low self esteem take over, and she thinks she cannot do third grade work when she is entering the sixth grade this fall. That has been an area where the Lord has shown me much and thankfully given me the wisdom to help her work through. God is an amazing teacher, and He often uses children to teach those who are willing to learn. I think that is because we are children who are not where He desires that we be yet, and He is the perfect, patient parent who has only love for us.
Isaiah 64:4 in the New Living Translation reads, "For since the world began, no ear has heard and no eye has seen a God like you, who works for those who wait for Him!" It is quoted in I Corinthians 2:9 as "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love Him."
I had to leave Jacques in her "slump" this morning and go about my business for the day to give her time to come around. As I showered and prayed for His leading for her, the Lord brought these scriptures to mind. Jacques has no idea that I have a friend wanting to take her to the beach for a week, and that we are waiting for her grandmother's answer to that request. She does not know I have friends who are praying about her being home schooled in the coming school year to really get her feet firmly under her academically, emotionally and spiritually. She has no idea how much I have in my heart to do for her, to show her, to help her in her growth. She doesn't know how I dream about her high school graduation or college or wedding day. The Lord has given me so many dreams for this precious one, and I look with delight as she grows into a mature, responsible young woman.
Then, of course, I thought of myself. Where am I still refusing to wait for God to change a situation in my life that I am "working on"? What does He have planned for my life that He wants to reveal to me? Do I believe His promises or not? Will I keep my eyes only on Him when things all around scream for attention that offer only a temporary joy?
I remembered recently about something I had "fly through my mind" a few months ago. We were doing our empty nest syndrome ritual of eating dinner and watching Fox News. I asked the Lord, "Is this what we have left to do with our daily lives, just watching TV together? I thought about children who need someone. Would that come our way? Was there something for us to do about a child?" There was indeed someone coming our way. My eyes had not seen her beautiful face, and my ears had not heard her laughter. But God...rich in His mercy....had a plan.
He has plans for you, too! Listen carefully to His loving voice. Stop and listen. He is calling!
Children who grow up in a survival state don't learn at a normal pace. In some ways, our girl is like a two year old, in need of much affirmation, love, attention and training. She has a deep love for God and a great desire to know and please Him. She prays precious prayers of thanksgiving and confession as she sees things in herself that need to change. Her academic level is lacking, and we are working hard to catch her up for school this fall. Sometimes she simply shuts down because her laziness and fear of failure and low self esteem take over, and she thinks she cannot do third grade work when she is entering the sixth grade this fall. That has been an area where the Lord has shown me much and thankfully given me the wisdom to help her work through. God is an amazing teacher, and He often uses children to teach those who are willing to learn. I think that is because we are children who are not where He desires that we be yet, and He is the perfect, patient parent who has only love for us.
Isaiah 64:4 in the New Living Translation reads, "For since the world began, no ear has heard and no eye has seen a God like you, who works for those who wait for Him!" It is quoted in I Corinthians 2:9 as "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love Him."
I had to leave Jacques in her "slump" this morning and go about my business for the day to give her time to come around. As I showered and prayed for His leading for her, the Lord brought these scriptures to mind. Jacques has no idea that I have a friend wanting to take her to the beach for a week, and that we are waiting for her grandmother's answer to that request. She does not know I have friends who are praying about her being home schooled in the coming school year to really get her feet firmly under her academically, emotionally and spiritually. She has no idea how much I have in my heart to do for her, to show her, to help her in her growth. She doesn't know how I dream about her high school graduation or college or wedding day. The Lord has given me so many dreams for this precious one, and I look with delight as she grows into a mature, responsible young woman.
Then, of course, I thought of myself. Where am I still refusing to wait for God to change a situation in my life that I am "working on"? What does He have planned for my life that He wants to reveal to me? Do I believe His promises or not? Will I keep my eyes only on Him when things all around scream for attention that offer only a temporary joy?
I remembered recently about something I had "fly through my mind" a few months ago. We were doing our empty nest syndrome ritual of eating dinner and watching Fox News. I asked the Lord, "Is this what we have left to do with our daily lives, just watching TV together? I thought about children who need someone. Would that come our way? Was there something for us to do about a child?" There was indeed someone coming our way. My eyes had not seen her beautiful face, and my ears had not heard her laughter. But God...rich in His mercy....had a plan.
He has plans for you, too! Listen carefully to His loving voice. Stop and listen. He is calling!
Monday, June 14, 2010
Free the prisoners!
Jesus came to set the captive free, and those filled with the Holy Spirit are given that same charge. I am amazed at our God. I have been blessed with a bird's eye view of His working in the lives of others lately like never before. Truly, we serve an awesome God. His ways are indeed unfathomable. And so very sweet.
Where does He desire to use you to bless someone else - to watch Him set them free? GO with Him in the journey. Be amazed at His ability to solve all those burdens you want to carry on your own back. Breathe in the peace that passes understanding as you wait upon God to work in the lives of others. That hunch you have that there must be more to this thing called life is right. There is more to life than working for a dollar and either worrying that it will be lost in this economy, stolen by someone or a quandry to figure out how to spend. Open your hand and your heart to someone around you who is less fortunate and feel the joy of sharing in God's heart! His heart is all about love and giving. Life is not about social justice or socialism. It is about finding the amazing joy of living for something greater than yourself or your social status!
We cannot begin to fathom what God would do if we would only believe, only trust, only get out of the boat of our comfortable lives and go with Him. There is no greater joy or treasure than knowing God and feeling the wind in your face as you see His greatness and healing power poured out on others....and the blessing of it splashing back in your face!
Where does He desire to use you to bless someone else - to watch Him set them free? GO with Him in the journey. Be amazed at His ability to solve all those burdens you want to carry on your own back. Breathe in the peace that passes understanding as you wait upon God to work in the lives of others. That hunch you have that there must be more to this thing called life is right. There is more to life than working for a dollar and either worrying that it will be lost in this economy, stolen by someone or a quandry to figure out how to spend. Open your hand and your heart to someone around you who is less fortunate and feel the joy of sharing in God's heart! His heart is all about love and giving. Life is not about social justice or socialism. It is about finding the amazing joy of living for something greater than yourself or your social status!
We cannot begin to fathom what God would do if we would only believe, only trust, only get out of the boat of our comfortable lives and go with Him. There is no greater joy or treasure than knowing God and feeling the wind in your face as you see His greatness and healing power poured out on others....and the blessing of it splashing back in your face!
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