strength

God Gives Strength and Peace

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Zaccheus was trying to see who Jesus was, and was unable because of the crowd, for he was small in stature. So he ran on ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree in order to see Him, for He was about to pass through that way. When Jesus came to the place, He looked up and said to him, “Zaccheus, hurry and come down, for today I must stay at your house.” Luke 19: 3- 5 (NASB)

 

Restless from the weight of my worries and obligations, I strapped my snow shoes on and grabbed my poles. Fresh air is more often the balm for my tired nerves than work. Eager to be with the Creator of Calm, and all things beautiful, I chased my breath and the whip of the wind as the gray storm clouds pressed in on all sides. Nothing else mattered.

Is this how Zaccheus felt as he climbed the sycamore tree to catch a glimpse of Jesus?

I was awake. Alive. Excited. Ready. Hopeful. And I was open to see what God had in store. Yes! I’m sure neighbors who passed by raised a brow as I cut through the icy snow- especially if they knew the extent of my knee injuries and pain. They might have even doubted my sanity. I also questioned my unwise and lonesome trek. But freedom was found in the fields and forest. The bitter flakes kissed my lids and cheeks as I fought the edges and carved new paths through the birch and pines and oak. Curious. Bold. Brave.

I am like the unclean woman who raced through the crowds for one touch of Jesus’ hem.

The rhythm of my crunch and unafraid heartbeat matched the determination of my spirit. Emmanuel-God with us- did not leave my side. Though I hurried and fell, He helped me to stand and shake off the nonsense, the cold cuts and my bruised ego and hurt bones. Jesus saw me in my arid desert and the winter of my resolve to heal, and He came close.

My truth ache had mirrored the pain of many- Dinah, Hagar, Leah, Tamar, and Sarah. Like lions and cackling hyenas on the Serengeti plain, I was circled and taken by those I trusted. Fear and doubt and shame silenced me. But God sees the injustice I endured.

The Voice of the Lord is in the storm. He thunders and limbs bow and break and topple. Mighty and majestic and magnificent- trees are stripped bare, rivers flood, and dreams give birth. Cities will skip and dance again with joy. I am not alone. My God is with me. It’s not a time to shrink back. God makes His people strong and blesses them with peace.

I don’t know whether you’re a “wee little man” like Zaccheus, a robber and outcast, or a beggar or a fighter. Maybe you’ve been rejected and betrayed and are hungry for love. Then again, maybe you’re the proud and self-righteous leader who hangs his hope on his following. We all sin and fall short of God’s glory.

Jesus sees us as we are and must come to our house. Nothing else will satisfy the hunger in our soul. So, open the door and let Him in. The posture of our heart is what matters. He longs for us to lean into Him with trust.

May Jesus be the one whom you chase,

Lily Mae

Read Psalm 29
The Lord will give strength to His people;
 The Lord will bless His people with peace. Psalm 29: 11 (NASB)

 

 

Joy of the Lord

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Do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.
Nehemiah 8:10 (NASB)

 

Joy- a fruit of the Spirit

Sunday mornings are for hugging my coffee and thoughts. I exhale slow then take another deep breath. Our home is quiet except for the faint hum of the refrigerator. I nestle into my worn and manly Queen Anne chair. It suits my husband better with its hunter green, brick red, and brown stripes; however, it’s become my favorite chair at the early hour. The rest of the world sleeps and no one fights me for it.

Joy

I think about the day before when I almost tossed my computer into the trash in a fit of frustration. When my youngest son heard my verbal scuffle, he sat in the rocker beside me and tried to distract me. I raised an eyebrow in annoyance, and he fired back, “She’s an angry elf!” That was all it took- my sides nearly split. Somehow, he knows how to disband my irritation almost every time. I’m not sure if it’s his good looks or dry humor or because he is the youngest. Regardless, joy creeps into my muck.

Joy comes easy with little ones and sticky Rice Krispy treat smiles. The cereal is flung across the counter onto the floor as my grandchild tries to decide whether or not to stir, taste, or eat it. I want to stop time. His eyes are filled with delight, and he soon wears the evidence of his marshmallow snack in his hair and on his shirt.

Joy

We gather as a family for a birthday celebration and feast on zamboozies, a meat-filled, fried pastry, and apple and shoofly pie with dabs of ice-cream. Then we each sing our own version of “Happy Birthday”, and the birthday host sings louder than most. And so, my smile stretches across the length of the room. I’m thankful for my husband and the noisy laughter that comes with our tradition.

Joy

God has planted royal beauties in the grit and gravel and set boundaries with His morning glories. Recently, we’d noticed that my favorite purple vine had infiltrated our front bushes and the edge of our fields and woods. It had also risen to the top of our tallest pines, and we’d never planted them this year. God sings with delight over us.

Joy is two-fold.

When joy is hard to express, we look to the heavens and rise, and then we look outward and offer a cup- coffee for two, words of mercy or inspiration, or a simple smile. Joy is a choice, a commitment, and a practice. Nehemiah made a way for the exiles to return to Jerusalem and repair and rebuild their walls, gates, and homes. And Jesus made a way for us to come home.

Joy

I bend over the sink and let soapsuds slip through my hands and plates and utensils as I also wash the crumbs from my mind. The Lord our God is in our midst. A victorious warrior has already won our battle. Another day closes as I step toward community and embrace authenticity and heart connection.

Thank you, Jesus, for your shed blood and the way you have set us free!

 

Lily Mae

 

~He will rejoice over you with shouts of joy. Zephaniah 3:17 (NASB)

 

 

 

Know God and be Strong

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But the people who know their God shall be strong,
And carry out great exploits.  Daniel 11:32 (NKJV)

There are seasons we pass through that appear like a land of utter gloom.   A time of darkness and deep shadows, but lessons are learned in the confusion and uncertainty.  We feel like we are holding on by a straining string, waiting for our last thread of composure and patience to tear . We may slip and fall, our words and actions hurting our loved ones.  In desperation, we turn towards God and confess our sins.  We try to make sense of our condition, but find no explanation. Perhaps God just wants to see our faithfulness in the conflict. Though we stumble in the struggle, we get back up and persevere.  And that is what God is asking – that we keep moving forward with our eyes fixed on Him!

I will go away and return to My place
Until they acknowledge their guilt and seek My face;
In their affliction they will earnestly seek Me.  Hosea 5:15 (NASB)

I have learned on many crooked roundabouts that “God is FOR us!” He doesn’t abandon His own!  And we can lean into Him  and trust that He fights our battles.  He is able to move mountains, tear down walls, restrain waters, and fill our empty hands.   God provides more than just enough! His light breaks through the darkness with a kaleidoscope of color…all the rough edges and broken pieces creating beauty…revealing mysteries of heavenly work. He redeems our messes!  So we dangle over our  despair, knowing that He will come to our rescue.  His faithfulness is everlasting!

Though we are imperfect…weak, fearful, doubtful, angry, and reactive…God’s perfection meets us in the middle and covers where we are lacking. Walk with confidence today that He is with us in the daily grind. Rest in His presence and cling to Him. For as we study and know God, we will be made strong and overcome!

~Lily Mae