DebraJ
Wings Outstretched
Monarch butterfly with wings outstretched
Praying as I went to sleep last night, the LORD brought to mind something for which I needed to ask His forgiveness. Wanting to cross something off of my to-do list I’d sent out a worship song playlist to my CBS music team. He had given me all of the songs but I hadn’t asked the LORD if the list was ready…if these were all the songs He’d wanted…if it was the right time…
No big deal to others – but one of the things God has been showing me during these three months of rest is that I tend to jump in and “do” without seeking Him first. That leads me down all kinds of rabbit trails and away from God’s strength. Without His strength I’m useless!
So I confessed…repented…asked for His forgiveness and went to sleep.
This morning I awoke to the words of one of those songs playing through my mind:
“You’re making me like You,
Clothing me in white,
Bringing beauty from ashes,
For You will have Your bride
Free of all her guilt
And rid of all her shame
And known by her true name
And it’s why I sing
Your praise will ever be on my lips…”*
I arose and began opening curtains throughout the house…and the first thing I truly “saw” was a monarch butterfly, resting in the sun – wings outstretched – taking in all the warmth before starting its day, gaining strength for its wings…
…And saw myself desiring to do the same…
LORD, before I begin ANY task today, I lift my hands in surrender to You. Lead me; give me strength for what You want me to do…and Your praise will ever be on my lips.
*Ever Be ©2014 Bethel Music Publishing
Strand/Greely/Wilson/Heiligenthal
The Gift of Clouds
This is one of the first cool mornings in…forever! No bright scorching sun. A thick marine layer, like a cushion on a hard chair, protects the earth from a hard glaring sun…a very welcome change following the relentless unforgiving heat that has chased us morning and night for a long time.
While this may not be a lasting change – after all, it’s the middle of summer – I will be grateful for the blessing it brings for today. It is a gift and a reminder that God is faithful to all that He has promised…
Psalm 121: 5 – 6
“The LORD watches over you –
the LORD is your shade at your right hand;
the sun will not harm you by day,
nor the moon by night.”
It Was A Lovely Day
Yesterday was such a lovely day. I unplugged myself from my phone – no emails, no internet, no Facebook. After my Bible study I took little Daisy kitty in my arms and wandered through the garden. I was amazed at the explosion of leaves and flowers on plants that just a week or two ago were quite bare. Our Lady Banks climbing rose is fuller than I’ve ever seen her. We both stopped to watch one of our little squirrels as he limped on a bum foot. Poor little guy! I heard crows cawing in our large ash tree, flying in and out with twigs and moss as they made a nest. Then we passed by a mama hummingbird sitting on the same nest that just had babies fledge from it two weeks ago! An absolutely lovely day…
The wind began to kick up, which made Daisy a bit nervous, so I took her back inside the house. Then I went out front to get a better look at the nest the crows were making. By this time the wind was really blowing and that big old nest, which had to be 12 – 18 inches across, was rocking back and forth like a pendulum on a clock. Twigs from the nest kept falling to the ground and onto the roof of our house. I really hoped that the mom hadn’t laid her eggs already because I had no idea how they’d stay in there through that roller coaster ride!
I went back in the house to sit down and write about the blessings of this wonderful day. And then I turned on my computer…
The first thing I saw was a prayer request for my friends serving for a couple of weeks with Containers of Hope, taking backpacks filled with school supplies to children in Liberia…who were at the airport in Brussels when the terrorist’s bombs went off…
…and another prayer request for my friends serving on Lesvos Island, Greece helping refugees fleeing the atrocities of the Middle East. I will only say that the crisis there is much more intense than our media has portrayed it to be…the suffering so much greater…
…and suddenly the loveliness and blessings of my day and the drama of the wind blowing a crow’s nest or a squirrel limping on a bum foot seemed trite and very much out of touch with the great suffering of so many in this world…
…so many in need of One who understands their pain and anguish, who cares more for them than anyone ever could, who loves them to death…and died to give them life…then rose from death to give them life eternal.
As I contemplate the timing of these events I cannot help but think that THIS week of all weeks in the year was perfectly chosen to share the hope and good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, whose death and resurrection we celebrate this week.
So, if the world seems dark right now, if hope seems out of reach, if your heart is broken and life seems to be falling apart like that crow’s nest blowing in the wind…hold on! An explosion of new life in Jesus Christ is available that will make your heart feel as vibrant as those flowers in my garden!
Easter Sunday…now that was truly a lovely day! In fact, Best…Day…Ever!
Lord Jesus, You know how broken we are and in need of a savior. Thank You for laying down Your life to pay for the sin of the whole world and for rising from the dead just as You said You would. I’m so grateful that Your amazing gift of eternal life is available for all who believe in You. Please lead many to follow you today.