Walk a Mile in My Shoes

God, grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change,
the courage to change the things I can,
and the wisdom to know the difference.

Mother's Day reflections - easy for some, hard for others.  At the risk of stirring up memories, I pray now that those who read this are covered in the mercy of the Lord, that your thoughts are in His hands and that He leads you in your pondering and that His Truth sets you free.

Remember mother always stirs memories and often brings us to a place of judgment: "I'd never do that to my kids", "I would have done things differently", "she did her best, but...", "she never understood", etc.  Whether it is your birth mother, adopted mother, foster mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, or other mother figure, how do we reconcile these thoughts as we follow God?

For many years, a critical spirit was evident in my life and God graciously taught me truth: "You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things." (Romans 2:1 NIV) and "do to others what you would have them do to you" (Matthew 7:12 NIV). We gain great insight into others when we purpose to look at them through Jesus's eyes "who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth" (1 Timothy 2:4).  God LOVES the worst sinner, He created them in His image - HIS IMAGE!!!  We need to cautiously guard the words of our mouths and the thoughts of our hearts towards any His precious children.  So...my lesson was to "take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ" (2 Corinthians 10:5).  In His mercy and goodness, He graciously led me each and every time, and still does - hallelujah!

So...consider what you do know about your mother (or other...); ask the Lord to let you put yourself in her place enough to understand a bit of why she may have done or said the things she did, good or not good.  My mother was one of four children raised during the Great Depression, her older sister died at 13 when Mom was preschool age (what did that do to the family??), she wore glasses from a young age and was often cruelly teased by other kids, married at 18 to a soldier just home from battle.  As a mother, she had 2 daughters 16 months apart, then her first son died at birth, 2 1/2 years later she had another daughter and nearly lost her life and her daughter's during the birth; 14 months later she had a son born with a handicap that broke her heart and changed her life; grandparents moved in to help.  For me to reflect on her emotions, thoughts, and actions as a mother during that time is nearly impossible and brings me to the reality that I CANNOT JUDGE; I have not walked in those shoes.

Mother, mother-in-law, sister, friend - we each know little of the daily realities others face (fathers, brothers, as well).  May God guide our thoughts and actions and cleanse us from all that is not of Him that His truth might set us free and your "joy may be full" (I John 1:4). Thank you, Mom, for all you gave, and thank you, Lord, for what You brought to my life through her.


Walk a Mile in My Shoes by Joe South (click link to hear song)

My Prayer

I first learned of this poem/prayer in the 8th grade when it was on the bulletin board for our reflection and memorization (Catholic school memories...). It speaks truth of a heart ready to be humbled and used for God's service in any season or situation.  I love the way God created our minds that He can bring back to our remembrance anything from our experience and once again make it a part of our consciousness.  In the past twenty years, as my daily walk has been to "do to others what you would have them do to you" (Matthew 7:12), the poetic verses from St. Francis of Assisi have surfaced and become my prayer in many situations, encouraging me to look to the heart of the situation and respond in a manner pleasing to my Lord.  May His Kingdom come, may His Will be done in me, on earth as it is in heaven.

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace,
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy; 

O Divine Master,
grant that I may not so much seek 
to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love.

For it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

Where There is Faith by 4 Him (click link to hear song)

Hearers and Doers of the Word

"...Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." (Romans 10:17 NKJV)

"So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear...and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls... be doers of the word, and not hearers only...he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.  (James 1:19-24 NKJV excerpts)


"Increase our faith, Lord...help me in my unbelief."  When this is our cry, and it often is, we need to HEAR the Word of God.  

For decades, research has confirmed what God told us in His Word:

• we forget 90-95% of what we only hear in 72 hours
• we forget 70% of what we only read in 72 hours
• we forget 50% of what we both hear and read in 72 hours
• we forget 10 % of what we hear, read and do in 72 hours 

It is awesome to see God's truth played out in our lives! He tells us to hear; He tells us to do.  Are we?  Even in the Christian realm where we are encouraged to read the Word daily, not much emphasis is placed on the hearing.  Why not read aloud? Then you both read and hear, even if it's just to yourself! Read aloud to each other, recite to one another - what a blessing to hear someone speak out a verse that has brought life and light to them!

Paul encouraged believers to "be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,  submitting to one another in the fear of God (Ephesians 5:18-21 NKJV).  This includes psalms and spiritual songs, giving thanks (aloud) - shouldn't we be thanking, praising, singing, reciting, reading aloud to ourselves, to others- as God directed?  What a difference this could make in our lives, even if we only did this alone! 

Increase our faith, Lord...help us in our unbelief...stir us up to love and good works to be doers and hearers of Your Word.


"Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer. "(Ps. 19:14 NKJV)

Thy Word by Amy Grant (click link to hear song)

Sail on...

"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. The LORD will keep you from all harm-- he will watch over your life; the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore." (Psalm 121: 5-8)
 
Sailing...I personally know very little about it, and yet it continues to rise in my thoughts. Consider...putting down the oars, relinquishing the "doing.  With only a sail on my boat, God's power, not mine, will stir and move forward, by wind and waves.  Learning to wait...patience growing; waiting for the wind, the breeze, resting in the calm, steering during the movement, paying close attention, listening and observing, reading the signs of the water and skies around me.  Stay in the boat, prepared for the elements, set the sails, hold the tiller straight or move it with purpose.

"Where is your faith?" he asked his disciples. In fear and amazement they asked one another, "Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him." (Luke 8:25)  

Let my life be piloted by You alone, Lord. I am yielded to your direction and trust Your hand in all things.


Lay Your Burden Down by Chuck Girard (click to hear song)

Lean on Me

"Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us" (Hebrews 12:1)

Well, I have been so aware of the extreme VALUE of my friends and sisters/brother in the Lord.  We, too, are the cloud of witnesses surrounding one another: those who go before us are examples and lead the way, those on our sides support and encourage, those behind us can easily see our progress and give shouts of victory!  Hallelujah!

It is continually amazing at the timeliness & riches of God's Word! Just note other words of encouragement from  Hebrews 12: 2-15; He is faithful to show us the way as He warns us of danger & the enemy's tools:

• look unto Jesus
• whom the Lord loves He chastens
• afterward it (chastening) yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it
• strengthen the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be dislocated, but rather be healed (beautiful picture of encouraging the down-trodden)
• pursue peace with all people, and holiness...looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble.

We need to lean on one another when we are weary, discouraged, beaten down.What a blessing for us to live in unity together "as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.  And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.  Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.  And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." (Colossians 3:12-17).


You are special - uniquely designed for your part in His plan! I need you desperately in my life...and you need me! Young and old, rich and poor, we can be different as night and day, yet we enrich each other's lives when we live out what God has given us as His people.

Lean on Me by Al Green (click to hear song)

Pick Up Your Tent

We've been "empty-nesters" for many years as our children moved on, yet in the literal sense, we've rarely had an empty nest. As we've yielded our home to God, He has continually filled it with His people as He chose in His time.

I am a nester, HOME-maker, the maker of a HOME - settle in, fluff things up, take care of the nest and those in it, push them out when they're ready, make a new nest when the old one is damaged or we "migrate".  I would be happy to have HOME in one place all of my life, going out as needed but returning HOME, welcoming any the Father brings to us.

This nesting satisfies both my spirit and my flesh, yet primarily I am not a nester, but a God-follower - wherever He leads in the spiritual and the physical.  I've gone places I never expected or even wanted to go - spiritually and physically, and, in sharing our home with others, we've been tested us in ways we never would have chosen, yet His grace is sufficient (you think??) and we are sharpened by one another (Prov. 27:17 NIV).  In my weakness (emotional, self centered, from past hurts/traumas, whatever), He is made strong. The Amplified Bible expounds on this ,"But He (the Lord) said to me, My grace (My favor and loving-kindness and mercy) is enough for you (sufficient against any danger and enables you to bear the trouble manfully); for My strength and power are made perfect (fulfilled and completed) and show themselves most effective in (your) weakness." (2 Corinthians 12:9)

My desire is that I may glorify Him - I cannot determine how that will happen; I must trust Him to lead me. "'For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,' says the Lord. 'For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.'" (Isaiah 55:8-9 NKJV).  Humbling, isn't it? I can't even choose how to glorify Him...and yet, I can - to obey implicitly and immediately, trusting Him wholly.  He is faithful, worthy - love itself. I do choose to glorify Him, to follow Him wherever He leads.

Nesting? Following God? As believers we have nomadic heritage even from before our father Abraham to the children of the Exodus who followed the pillar of cloud and fire. Our innate desire is to hear His voice and follow Him. Let us encourage one another to be ready to move out at His directions, to pick up our tent (spiritual or physical), taking only what is essential, and leave the rest behind.  Hanging on to ways or things of the past will only hold us back from all He has for us.  We do well to read of and learn from the Old Testament stories of God's people - in bondage in Egypt, delivered from bondage, wandering in the wilderness because of their stubbornness.  Isaiah 43 again tells of God's protection, His love, His plan for His people - not our plan, His plan- "Do not remember the former things, Nor consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing, Now it shall spring forth; Shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness And rivers in the desert." (Isaiah 43: 18-19 NKJV)


Following hard after Him? There is no better way!


Where He Leads Me by Twila Paris (click to hear song)

Did Self Prompt That?

"I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me." (Galatians 2:20 NKJV)

Each of us face battles and, with time, we have at our disposal weapons that we rely on and can readily wield when in the fight.   

"For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ" 

(1 Corinthians 10:4-5 NKJV)

For years, the poem "Victory" has lived in the front of my Bible and, in my battle against self, I have often received encouraged from reading it (usually aloud).  Having learned to ask "did self prompt that?" regarding my thoughts and actions, when there is a need for me to give it all up again, this poem and the Scripture references help me realign my thoughts to comply with God's direction.

With permission from the publisher, I share this for your encouragement and growth in your daily life with Christ.

Holy Fire by Morgan Cryar (click to hear song)

Are You 'Ready'?

Hurricane Charlie damage

Seasons of life come upon us whether we are ready or not, sometimes gradually and with much opportunity to observe & prepare (birth, gray hair); sometimes suddenly and with NO warning (car accident, illness).  Often when I think I am 'ready', I then find that my expectations were faulty, certainly not sufficient to have me truly prepared. Even wise counsel and past experiences often only offer partial insight.  "Why me, God?" becomes my cry, selfishness surfaces - I realize that I need God!

This is exactly where I should be - on my knees, crying out to Him, giving up my own thoughts and plans.  His ways are high above our ways, His grace is sufficient, His faithfulness reaches to the clouds.

We need God - every minute - for every situation in which we find ourselves. "Without Him, we can do NOTHING" -John 15:5 (NKJV).  The state of "being prepared" or ready for life's twists and turns can only come from spending time with our Heavenly Father, in His Presence.  There we will receive our daily bread, whatever we truly need to sustain us for the day (not necessarily what we want or what we think we need). All He asks is that we follow Him, and He gave us His own Son Jesus as our example.  Ponder Jesus's life, His choices, His relationship to His Father, His humility and selflessness (do we take the time we need to ponder/meditate/receive revelation from the Holy Spirit?).

This life and our daily walk are not about us, but about Him - to glorify God in our being and doing.  Turn away every selfish thought- they only bring death, not life.  Life is found in Jesus alone - He is the Life! Yield any area with which you are struggling to the Holy Spirit that He may lead/guide/teach you - after all, God knows us better than we know ourselves and His mercies are new every morning.

Thank you, Lord, for Your great love for us, even in our weakness - may You show Yourself strong and be glorified.

"Do everything without complaining or arguing..." Philippians 2:14 (NIV)

"Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen." I Peter 4:8 -11 (NIV)

Sweet Glow of Mercy by Gary Chapman (click to hear song)

Overwhelmed...

This afternoon, I reached a point where I stopped in the midst of a conversation with my daughter and said "I need a minute". That's really all it took to cast my immediate cares on the the Lord - Hallelujah!  Several frustrations had surfaced within 15 minutes or so, and I had a choice - to react, to take it on myself, or to bring it to God.  Inadvertantly, as I had chosen not to react to the situation at hand, I had allowed things to be "dumped" on me, but there had been no time before the two of us were engaged in discussion for me to hand this burden over to God.  So...once I was physically still enough to actually feel the mental weight, I simply asked for a minute to deal with this in the way God directs us, "Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you"(1 Peter 5:7 NIV). 
 
I paused, I cast, and the burden was gone - His problem, not mine - NMP:).

Thank you, Holy Spirit, for your gentle reminders to guide us into all truth (John 16:13 NIV). I need You every minute.  Thank you, Lord, that you know me so well, even my thoughts and the desires of my heart. It is such a joy and a relief to trust You and rest in Your care.  You are SO good to me; Your love draws me more and more to you. Help me to know You and talk with you at all times.

Max Lucado recently tweeted: "Did God call us to preach without ceasing? Have committee meetings without ceasing? No, he called us to pray without ceasing." Gotta love him! And love the Truth! To me, praying without ceasing is my continual conversation with God as we walk through the day together. I thank You, Lord, that You love me that much!


Day by Day by DC Talk (click to hear song)

Amazing God!

You are Amazing, God!  I marvel at Your care, Your planning, Your Bigness and Majesty and Power!  I am overwhelmed as I consider how complex, intricate and fascinating You are!  Brings me to my knees and leaves me speechless...a good thing. I can do nothing without You, Lord, not even breathe or give You praise; I need You, Lord, and thank you for helping, leading, guiding, teaching, supporting, protecting, saving, delivering, loving me - just as I am. Help me in my quest to know You more.

Thank you for Ecclesiastes 5 which reminds us "go near to listen"; "do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few" and "stand in awe of God".  I pause...and ponder YOU.

Indescribable/You are Amazing God by Chris Tomlin (click to hear song)

"Become like little children"

      He (Jesus) called a little child and had him stand among them. 3 And he said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven." -Matt. 18:33  
      How does a child that is loved come to his daddy? Gladly, willingly, open-handed and open-hearted, trusting, free - we can see the picture of a child's smiling, joyful face, bright eyes, arms outstretched, anxious to be loved, touched, held, and ready to follow.  When do we lose that freshness? How can we regain it in our relationship to our Heavenly Father?  William Wordsworth noted in 1807 that "the world is too much with us"; Jesus stated "you must change...", and so we must if we are to enter the kingdom of heaven.  To live in His presence in the midst of this world requires us to look past the circumstances at Him, just like a little child when daddy comes home - nothing else matters! That blesses the child and blesses the dad!

     In His great goodness and His marvelous plan, our Father God left us His Word that it would be a lamp to our feet and a light to our path (Ps. 119:105).  Psalm 100 encourages us in praise and joy and thanksgiving as we come into His presence; let's remember to put this into practice:

"1 Make a joyful shout to the Lord, all you lands! 2 Serve the Lord with gladness; Come before His presence with singing. 3 Know that the Lord, He is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture. 4 Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. 5 For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting, And His truth endures to all generations." 


Make a Joyful Noise by Randy Rothwell (click to hear song)

"Are you stressed?"

Yesterday I was challenged by the question "Are you stressed?"  Having learned to not give a quick answer, but to pause and consider circumstances before speaking ("think before you speak" echoes from my childhood...), I realized that a situation which had recently come into our lives had suddenly taken a change in form.  Although initially I had listened and waited to see what God was doing, just a few words from an unsuspecting person altered my perspective and cracked open a door into which the enemy had 'stuck his foot'.  My thoughts had moved forward at alarming speed toward possibilities that brought with them concerns, anxiety and pressure. A quick reflection helped me to recognize truth - enemy is real, "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour" -1 Peter 5:8. In this case, I was the target.

Thankful for this reminder, I quickly sought God and His plan, knowing that stress/urgency/pressure are not from Him. As I desire to follow His lead, and do intend to listen and obey, I was reminded of 1 Peter 5:7 "casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you".  God knows our frame, how we are made - He made us and knows what we can & can't/should & shouldn't bear in our bodies, minds, and emotions. Jesus clearly tells us, "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." -Matt. 11:28-30.  He has a plan for us to follow; are we obeying? Following His lead? 

It is Well with My Soul by Wayne Watson (click to hear song)

"As morning breaks, I look to you, O God, to be my strength this day"

More from Psalm 63; interesting to be in this psalm again - more to glean... 
'O God, You are my God; Early/earnestly will I seek You; My soul thirsts for You; My flesh longs for You In a dry and thirsty land Where there is no water. 2 So I have looked for You in the sanctuary, To see Your power and Your glory. 3 Because Your lovingkindness is better than life, My lips shall praise You. 4 Thus I will bless You while I live; I will lift up my hands in Your name. 5 My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness, And my mouth shall praise You with joyful lips. 6 When I remember You on my bed, I meditate on You in the night watches. 7 Because You have been my help, Therefore in the shadow of Your wings I will rejoice. 8 My soul follows close/hard behind You; Your right hand upholds me. -NKJV/italics NIV_KJV

 I have been convicted/encouraged to seek God early and earnestly each day and it is noticeable when I don't.  Interesting that the Hebrew root word for EARLY shachar means 'be up early with the implication of earnestness' (diligence, painstaking searching).  O Lord, I desire to put You FIRST in my thoughts, my time, my actions.  Help me to put aside distractions and busyness that I may hear from You first each day, and in Your great mercy, help me to remember and respond at once to seek You.  You are Lord of my time and my day and my thoughts; I give You first place.

As Morning Breaks/Psalm 63 by John Michael Talbot (click to hear song)

The First Step...

Embarking on any new adventure requires a step of faith; using this site to encourage others is a new step for me.  Not a problem to want to do it, just takes time and new knowledge; as I've prayerfully considered how God would have me encourage others, blogging definitely gives the advantage to the reader.  May you be blessed as you consider these thoughts and may God give you revelation as you seek to know Him more.  He loves YOU. 

This first entry is from this morning's quiet time and was sent via email; if you receive this twice today, consider what God is telling you:)

Blessings on your day!  You have specifically been on my heart and in my prayers this morning - for your walk with God, your families, healing of your heart and body, wisdom, restoration of relationships, direction, finances and provision. Take a moment to rest in His love and breathe in His Spirit - refreshing, strength, peace for the minutes ahead.

Consider reading this out loud to let it permeate your whole being through seeing and hearing it: "I would have lost heart unless I had believed I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.  Wait on the Lord! Be of good courage and He shall strengthen your heart.  Wait, I say, on the Lord!" -Ps. 27:13-14 NKJV

May you be encouraged all day long, knowing how much He loves you and plans for you and equips you - nothing comes into our lives without going through Him first.

"The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace." -Numbers 6:24-26

Give Ear to My Words by Maranatha (click to hear song)