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Whiteout

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     I will give them a heart to know me . . . Jeremiah 24: 7a NASB

     I’d prayed, “Lord, show me your face!” 

     Each morning the gold-spun Sunrise had overcome the inner shadows and formidable hills. Even so, nightfall had its way. Doubt, fear, and anxiety crept in again, and I questioned God’s love, mercy, and faithfulness. Nevertheless, He is present in the feast and famine.

     Sometimes, we have to proclaim Truth until we believe it!

     My vehicle was packed with dinner, chicken spiedies and hearty, split-pea and ham soup. It was a meal for tired bones and weary thoughts. I’d chased after three rambunctious boys all day and was longing for a sunny, mid-June cook-out. I needed physical sustenance and spirit-revival. However, as my car climbed our driveway and spit out gravel, I noticed the flurries that had begun to blanket the fields. But a storm wasn’t in the forecast. So, I shook off my misgivings.

     Then again, feasts don’t always go as we’ve planned or imagined. The wind picked up and skies darkened despite the pretty set table and delicious spread. Also, water, words, and tones spilled, and attitudes and opinions were passed with gingerbread and home-made applesauce. There wasn’t time to savor the dessert and our Sunrise wasn’t well-served. 

     I hadn’t expected such a heavy downfall; the storm had become a powerful whiteout. I couldn’t see more than a tire breadth in front of me. So, I prayed, “Lord, just get me home!” 

     Home. Safe place. Warmth. Belonging. Understanding. No judgement. Messes. Clean-ups. Everyone welcome, lovely and unlovable. Underdressed and overdressed. Every meal is a feast. Coffee turns into dinner and dinner to coffee. We work together. Love. Laughter. Tears. Grace.  

     I was desperate for home, to be known and accepted and loved. 

     I crawled home following vanishing tire tracks. I prayed I wouldn’t fall into a ditch or off the side of a mountain. When I crested one small knoll, the road disappeared; and so, I rolled down my window and faced the bitter cold. I slowly inched forward. But I turned left and got off track. 

     I soon realized I’d made a wrong turn. I was on an unfamiliar plateau and fields bordered me. I sought out a dim light in the distance and came upon a small trailer. I honked my horn until a kind man braved the blizzard, helped me turn around, and redirected me back the way I’d come. While I spoke to the stranger, I reached my husband on my cell and gave him my general location. He prayed, and I was soon on the right road. Besides, the whiteout abruptly ended. 

     Show me your face, Lord. 

     You are the beautiful Sunrise, faithful and merciful to shine upon those who need a rescue. We come to You as the orphan, captive, outcast, and stranger, and we find You in the orphan, captive, outcast, and stranger. Long, windy roads and treacherous conditions fortify our faith. The Lord opens our heart to know Him.

     Our Lord is trustworthy! He blankets us with His unconditional love, mercy, and Truth. We are all desperate for home and in need of grace. No whiteout can hide His presence! We are safe in the fiercest of storms. Our Lord goes before us. Peace is possible if we follow in His footsteps.

Seeking Grace,

Lily Mae

     Because of the tender mercy of our God . . . the Sunrise from on high will visit us, to shine upon those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.
Luke 1: 78, 79

God’s Light Breaks Through

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If the Lord had not been my help,
My soul would soon have dwelt in the abode of silence.
Psalm 94: 17 (NASB)

The cattails sway with the breeze, the pines lament, and the dock groans with resistance. On my weakest of days, God has been present, attentive, and protective. His light pierces my dark thoughts and steadies my steps. God sings over me with songs of deliverance. The battle is His-not mine.

The locust trees share their sweet aroma as their fingertips dance with ease and grace. God is the Keeper of my heart and soul. He has hedged me in with thorns and preserved my life. And so, I wait in silence and I lean into His love. Rest. Revive. Re-frame.

I walk slowly and ground my failures, shortcomings, and waywardness in God’s open fields. He is the giver of good gifts, the creator of beauty and the restorer of lost voices. He is my calm. Walls begin to crumble and defenses fall as I consider His love and mercy.

And I confess. Repent. Turn. Remember.

The baby doll was battered-ugly from the pull and play of small hands; hair was missing, one eye rolled backward, and her legs were twisted. However, I couldn’t part with her. So, I’d kept her in a cedar chest for decades.

One day, I unpacked the doll on a whim and placed her in my childhood cradle. She was forgotten until a sleepy voice called me to the room, and I cupped the broken pieces of her knee. With eyes downcast, the child mumbled a sweet apology and my heart stirred. I loved him more than the doll. And I told him so.

Forgiveness is easy when our love for another is tender. It can be a one-time decision. But when the infraction is great and the wound scabs and re-opens, forgiveness is hard. Each day, we may wrestle to show mercy. We cannot do it without God.

When I place the baby doll back in the cradle, I take note of the pint-size pillow and the green and purple blanket. My favorite cousin and I’d had coat dresses made from the same fabric. And I’d forgotten. I haven’t seen her for more than twenty years.

God sees injustice. He hears the rumble in the distance. He knows the thoughts of man.

God calls us to forgiveness and fellowship, to gather around a table and join hands.  When I don’t know how and where to begin, I consider Jesus’ Way, His walk and ministry. He broke bread with the crowds and leaned on His disciples-the close-knit circle.

Lord, help us to love. Give us the desire to forgive- and if necessary, the desire for the desire for the desire to forgive. Show us where we need to trust and step into fellowship. And we will lift our praises and our songs to you.

Blessings,

Lily Mae

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Restored Years

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Then I will make up to you for the years
That the swarming locust has eaten,
The creeping locust, the stripping locust and the gnawing locust,
My great army which I sent among you.
You will have plenty to eat and be satisfied
And praise the name of the Lord your God,
Who has dealt wondrously with you;
Then My people will never be put to shame.  Joel 2:25 , 26 (NASB)

For God’s People

The nights were long and oppressive
Lamenting their history and choices
And the devastation left by the locusts
Sleep failed to come

Days were clouded with confusion
Noise threatened their calm
It was hard to have clarity
And the melody in their hearts became faint

God whispered to be cautious…

The locusts crept in catching them by surprise
Swarming, they covered all
Gnawing away at what they knew and believed
And stripping away their resolve to be faithful

They came to occupy, destroy, and hinder
And left devastation…God’s people were in anguish
Chaos churned within them and their walls
Hands stilled… and the fruit of their labor failed

God whispered to be careful…

Fire devoured what was fertile
Smoke blurred visions
Brooks dried and pools of water evaporated
They stood on the edge of what they’d known

They wailed
Like a bride for her groom
Ministers lamented
And the land mourned
Men ceased to rejoice

God whispered to be concerned…

The day of the Lord draws near
Return to Him with your whole heart
Fast…weep…mourn…
For what was lost

Condemnation is removed

Rend your hearts and return to the Lord
He is gracious and compassionate
Forgiving
Slow to anger and abounding in loving kindness
He will make up for the years the locusts have stolen

Be calm and trust

God is for us
He will sing songs of deliverance
Grain, new wine, and oil will be plentiful
We will eat and be satisfied

God will ever be with us
And we will be Home
There is no striving in this place
Nothing satisfies our soul like Him

When all appears hopeless, and we feel far away from where we need to be, God makes a way! Taking pity on His people, He restores the years the locusts have devoured. And  blesses us beyond measure!  He promises to pour down showers…the early rain …and the latter rains! The soaking downpours will bring cleansing and growth.  We can rejoice and be glad in the days ahead.  Physical and spiritual restoration awaits us and our families!

Lily Mae

* Joel 1 and 2 (NASB)