I am not alone

I'm coming to a remarkable discovery:  (Don't laugh)

I'm not alone, and I don't have to do everything myself... things can still turn out okay if I don't know how to fix my car or buy a house or drive on ice.  There are people who are able to do the things I can't and I have been amazed, and quite glad to find that they are willing, and even happy, to do what I can't. 

My song of the week(s) has been "Everything will work out... somehow."  Surprisingly, to me anyway, it has. Far more easily than I'd imagined.

I've had rides to work when my car was in the shop, and again when the ice was just too much for my deficient winter driving abilities. I've had experts weigh in on subjects I know absolutely nothing about, and I've had rare and very welcome overtime at work to pay for the things that have been costly, and because they're costly, frightening. Turns out, I had no need to fear at all.

I'm not only coming out nearly no worse off for the trouble, but I'm gaining favor and trust, and building relationships.  The surprise to me is that it's happening not by being only a super go to it achiever, always giving, but lately, by having a need that someone else can fill. 

Who knew?

A new heart

Have you ever asked God to show you your heart?  I had asked to see other people's hearts, and what I saw grieved me - filled me with compassion, and helped me understand... but my own?  I hadn't dared. then, one day, I did it.  I can't adequately describe the picture I was shown, but I can tell you my response.

It's no wonder... How can I go on like that?  There seemed to be no hope of repair, and when I said so,  He agreed.  He said simply, "You need a new heart."

I asked, "Can I have that? Right now?"

He simply said, "Yes."

In the following weeks, it's been different. A slow progress, I suppose not unlike those who receive new hearts in the physical. All I know is, I'm stronger. More able to see good, and not expect bad... I always aimed for that positive, but at some point, I'd been hurt one too many times, just too deeply, and that heart I had before couldn't be mended.

I'm not startlingly different, but I feel it just the same... new heart... new hope... new resiliency that wasn't there before.  

I dare you - ask him to show you your heart.  If it's hard, he can soften it. He did for me.  If it's cold, he can warm it. I've been there too.  And if it's damaged beyond repair by the wounds that life inflicts, well, he has a new heart waiting for you, if you ask. 

I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.

Ezekiel 36: 26

From the place of His dwelling He looks On all the inhabitants of the earth; He fashions their hearts individually; He considers all their works. 

 Psalm 33: 14-15

You have put gladness in my heart, More than in the season that their grain and wine increased.

Psalm 4: 7

In the light

When you live in the light, you understand that life's greatest pleasure is to be able to see the extraordinariness of what may appear to others as merely ordinary, to see all of history and human nature in the everyday, and the divine spirit in the mundane.

There are moments when I catch a glimpse of a miracle hidden in the day to day, and realize I've forgotten to open my eyes to the wonder of life.

God, renew my sight. Remind me to look with anticipation for your glory in hidden places. I've lost it.






- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Room to reflect

I've learned something about myself. When life gets hectic, my living space gets cluttered - my home, and shortly thereafter, my mind. Jack calls it brain noise, and lately, mine has been pegging the db meter. When that happens, I put my cranky pants on and shut myself away lest the ruckus start to make it's way out my mouth.

It's amazing how another person can affect the volume. Someone who typically causes a lot of noise can walk into a room and without making a single demand, crank the volume knob to 10.

Last night, after a 3 day battle to keep it in, (I failed) I saw someone who has always turned the volume down for me. By saw them, I mean I spotted them across an auditorium full of people, and as if by magic, the mute button was pressed.

I didn't talk to them much beyond a friendly exchange of hellos, but there's just something about the presence of a trusted friend that calms the soul.

What I find fascinating is that it's lasted 24 hours and counting, and I've found that today, I have the clarity to look at the stack of plates I'd been spinning, and start washing them up and putting them away, one by one.

I hope one day, I'm able to be that person for someone else. Maybe I already am... After all, my friend has no idea they've just done that for me.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Taken by surprise

I received the greatest call anyone can ever receive - my friend spoke these words: I need to get right with Jesus, but I don't know how to start.

Shared Jesus with her 8 or 10 years ago, and she respectfully declined. I have prayed for her - asked Jesus for her salvation as my inheritance, and I have received what I have asked for.

Put your loved ones in His hands, and he is faithful to keep what you have committed to him.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Hot Pursuit

So the Egyptians pursued them, all the horses and chariots of Pharaoh, his horsemen and his army, and overtook them camping by the sea beside Pi Hahiroth, before Baal Zephon.

Exodus 14:9

This is how I've been feeling... Like the delivered soul who left oppression behind only to find himself trapped between an impassible sea and the raging enemies thought left behind forever.




This morning, God said, "Of course you feel like all of hell has come out against you and you've got nowhere to go - I'm about to cut a road in the waters and bury your enemies at the bottom of the sea."

Here comes my adventure! I'm excited to watch it unfold.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Right place, wrong time.

Ever leave early... Think you were early, only to find out that you're late? Here you are thinking you'll have this peaceful relaxed start to the day and WHAM! Suddenly you feel like the white rabbit.




It's particularly discouraging. I'm typically struggling to be sure I'm on time, and I'm getting pretty good at it, so to have a major success turn into a total failure is really, well, crappy.

What I really want to do is crawl back into bed and start over.

I showed up this morning to a crowd at the door, and thought, "uh oh". There were 9 or 10, but it felt like 100. I was barked at by the janitor, and could only say lamely, "I thought I was early."



"BARK! BARK!" And the door slams behind him.

Anybody have their finger to the rewind button? I sure could use a do-over.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone