ministry

God’s Light Breaks Through

restoreroflostvoices

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

He Calms the Storm

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Then He got up and rebuked the winds and the sea,
and it became perfectly calm. Matthew 8:26 (NASB)

 

The geese have returned to our pond, and there is hope that spring will soon burst with daffodils and Easter lilies. However, our oldest grandson shrinks from the squawk that circles and looks for a place to land. The child is frightened and clings to me for comfort.  Later, he is still afraid and over-tired, and I must rock him to sleep in my arms.

As I watch the toddler’s energetic limbs finally relax, and his eyes close in sweet peace, I’m reminded that Jesus draws us close to His heartbeat when we are unsure and afraid. He sees our frail state of mind.

Jesus was also weary and slept in the belly of the boat while the storm raged above. When His frightened disciples woke Him, He calmed the terror of the wind and waves. Creation responded to His voice and the disturbance ended.

A woman who’d been sick twelve years, chased Jesus through the frantic crowds to touch the fringe of His cloak. An outcast set apart because of her condition, she believed He could heal more than her hurt. And although, He’s on His way to the home of a twelve year old, Jesus pauses. He takes time to restore both. He also opened the eyes of the blind, helped the lame to walk, and restored the mute.

There is power in Jesus’ voice, touch, and presence.

Jesus sees our mad busy, the missed appointments, forgotten bills, and the empty refrigerator. Who will pick up the necessary staples, eggs, milk, and bread? He sees the guilt list that grows with each birthday we overlook, the phone calls we miss, and the letters we start, and then lose in the shuffle of words and responsibilities.

There are seasons of loneliness, missed family gatherings, children to tend to, and deadlines to meet. Then hollow hallways to endure as we wait for the next test, outcome, and uncertain future. Lean into Jesus’ love and be strengthened. Rise to the task.

Jesus knows our humanity, our fears, concerns, and weaknesses. And He hears our cries for help. He is the calm in the center of our whirlwind. Thus, we wait and expect His intervention. Though, it may not look like what we think, we trust that He will lead.

Jesus provides an inner circle.

In the midst of a fierce battle, three courageous warriors sought refreshment for David. They overcame their fears and fatigue and fought the enemy, and the cost was great. Thus, David poured the drink out as an offering. However, it wasn’t a waste. David had learned to trust God’s provision. His power was more than the might of men. Only God could quench David’s thirst. The sacrifice became an act of worship.

Jesus requires a heart response. Do we trust His love and lead? He sees the beginning and the end. So, release the angst. Though an army encamps against us, we too will sleep.

Take courage. God sees. God hears. God speaks. Creation responds and so must we.

Lily Mae

Read II Samuel 23

 

I Will Lead My flock

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“I will feed My flock and I will lead them to rest,” declares the Lord God.

~Ezekiel 34:15 (NASB)

 I had a perfect view of our Pastor’s care of his sheep where I grew up in Virginia. He rented the fields by our home, and it was evident that his sheep trusted his voice. Every evening they waited by the gate for him to feed them, and then they followed him in a line. He searched for and rescued the lost, and then he bound up the wounds of the injured. Likewise, He shepherded his congregation with tender care and humility.

 My brothers and I would slip through the fence and try to follow his kind example. But the sheep often fled from us. They didn’t know our voice , and we hadn’t earned  their trust. Also, we hadn’t provided for their physical needs, and we hadn’t led them to streams of refreshment. Instead, I think we had some fun as we chased them away. 

Ezekiel 34 shows us how to minister. It’s a picture of how Christ has watched over his flock. He was indignant because no one was concerned about His wayward sheep. Woe to those who’ve fed themselves. Shame on us when we muddy waters and trample down the poor in spirit. Do we push with side and shoulder and thrust the weak in faith until they scatter?  

God doesn’t give up on His lost sheep, not one has strayed too far. We don’t have to clean up before He chases us down. Let’s follow His example.

I will seek the lost, bring back the scattered , bind up the broken and strengthen the sick; but the fat and the strong I will destroy.  I will feed them with judgement.  Ezekiel 34:16  (NASB)

Ponder this day, “What does it look like to go after the lost?”

Lily Mae