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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)

 

 

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

 

Channels of Revival

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2018

The king’s heart is like channels of water in the hand of the Lord;
He turns it wherever He wishes. Proverbs 21:1 NASB

In the tranquil, wooded sanctuary, my worn boots tread on winter’s dormant and dead debris. Twigs snap, leaves crunch, and critters scamper nearby, while the brook babbles with winter’s icy turns and twists. Shimmery gold breaks through nature’s song, and I remember that I’m a daughter of the Most High. I’ve been born again, and sin and darkness cannot bind me. Jesus, my advocate, deliverer, and stronghold, sings over me with gladness. His strength is made perfect in my weakness.

The Lord’s love is for us.

Godly sorrow has its purpose if we turn to our Father in repentance. Every test and trial is for our good. Don’t lose heart. On the path toward holiness, we must bow and surrender our hurts from betrayal, rejection, and dismissal. We let go of regret and shame and lift our empty hands to the Lord. We trust our history to the one who has re-framed the black and white. We can’t go back, but we can move forward.

Wait. Watch. Expect. The Lord will fill our lack and loneliness with Himself. Sing your way to a happy heart. And your countenance will mirror His.

The Lord is a friend who sets our soul at ease. Walk with Him.

Although, the mountain before us seems impossible, the Lord will clear the briers and fallen branches. Doors may slam and criticisms feel sharp, but we must persevere. To drag our feet in fear, doubt, and laziness requires little effort, skill, and urgency. Endurance entails commitment, work, and struggle. Embrace it! We learn lessons with loss, failure, and discipline.

The Lord calls us to work with Him.

Be strong and take courage. Run after Jesus; one word, touch of His hem, and a dip in a pool healed the sick. His power heals bone-tired limbs, restores skewed sight and speech, and settles troubled thoughts. Remember the miracles and spread the good news of the gospel.

The Lord’s love grants mercy and forgiveness. He restores and redeems broken hearts and relationships. He turns toward a thirsty land and pours love out wherever He chooses.

The Lord calls us to love by His example.

Be a channel of revival.

In His holy name,

Lily Mae

A joyful heart makes a cheerful face, but when the heart is sad, the spirit is broken.
Proverbs 15:13(NASB)

God’s Sweet Perfection

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There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love.  We love, because He first loved us.
I John 4:18, 19 (NASB)

My friend giggled with surprise.

She was quickly realizing that I wasn’t perfect as I mixed peanut butter kiss cookies without sugar, my beaters flung cookie dough across the room, and I misplaced recipes and ingredients.  I could barely hold a thought. My kitchen was a disaster!

Shrugging my shoulders, I grinned and called my eager Shadow-a black Lab, to lick it up.

I could have told her long ago that I didn’t have it altogether.  But it was more fun to watch it unfold! The mess and confusion resembled what was going on inside of me, and I was done pretending.  There can be no healing  living in a masquerade.

So I laughed with weariness and confession, and kneaded sweetness into the mix. The sugar had a purpose.  It couldn’t be forgotten.

Purpose…the word had been marinating in my thoughts over the past few weeks.  We tend to get ourselves into trouble when we don’t have a purpose.  So how do we realize our potential and dreams when we’ve been more afraid of happiness than pain?

Perfect love casts out fear.

We choose love without conditions…kindness…mercy…forgiveness…relationship…even in the midst of our tired mess.  We humbly bend and look outward; no matter how it looks!

We learned lessons that day as cookies were both flattened paper thin and burnt…

Must we all think alike and look the same?  Can we accept our differences and what brought us to this place?  Can our common bond…His perfect love… hold us together?

My soul lifts as I sing a nursery rhyme with my grandson…Peanut Butter and Jelly.  First you crush the nuts…then you squish the grapes…and you spread it…spread it!  However,  it doesn’t end there.  We are meant to enjoy what we’ve worked hard to make!

Our purpose may change through the years, but God’s love always remains.  Whenever in doubt, spread what you know and need. Share God’s love!

~Lily Mae

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Soak in His Stillness

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“Martha, Martha you are worried and bothered about so  many things;
But only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part,
Which shall not be taken away from her.”
Luke 10: 41, 42

Picture perfect days are hard to come by during some seasons.  The hustle and bustle of our schedules frazzle and fray our edges.  And daily responsibilities and worries deplete us.  It’s hard to see clearly even after the looming cloud lifts.

Today was different…I was singing on the inside. Light was breaking through the shadows!

It started with my first morning run with my daughter in a while, and was followed by a lonely, country drive in the afternoon that eased my tired nerves.   Our family was gathering in the evening, and I was eagerly anticipating a full house.  Delicious food and lively conversation always lifted my spirit.

Nothing could compete with the pleasure of watching my big, burly  son simply sitting after dinner. His grin spread wide as he held his nephew in his strong arms.  Awkward and uncomfortable…tiny and vulnerable…my first grown baby was holding pure sweetness.

I stood in silence and observed; it seemed like just yesterday that I rocked my eldest.  Now we were bending low to another.  My first grandson had arrived, and we were in awe of this little bundle.  The eyes of our growing family were fixated on the sleeping child…and the  wonder of his cuteness. It brought me great joy to hug him close, but even more so to see the surrounding, priceless circle!

I didn’t want this moment to pass…and so I watched and waited…
Love leaned into precious innocence.
I remembered another babe born in a messy, lowly,  sacred place.
Perfection grew and died for us.
Hands that held Jesus’ small frame were rescued by His!

Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth.  Psalm 46:10 (NIV)

I soaked in His stillness…Martha, distracted and impatient, failed to see with Heaven’s eyes.  But Mary eagerly sat at Jesus’ feet, anticipating life changing words.  She expected God’s goodness, and drew near to His holiness.  Her heart was open and ready!

If only we could learn our lessons early…seek Christ first before all others…in our childhood…at the break of dawn…before we begin to work, minister, and play.

Jesus’ strong arms embrace the distracted, discouraged,  and weary…focused, driven, and strong.  He stops us in our wandering…striving…failing…winning ways and beckons us to come.  He draws all men unto Him!

Just as we are!

We hide…run…drive…work…and serve. We keep busy rushing here and there; too frantic to rest.  And we avoid thinking and feeling; the penetrating truth.  We are nothing without a Savior…infant child born to rescue a fallen people.  We need His calm!

You are gently held…soak in His stillness…and be strengthened!

 

~Lily Mae

The Unrecognizable Shadow

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ME

His armor bearer said to him,
“Do all that is in your heart;
Turn yourself, and here I am with you according to your desire.”
I Samuel 14:7 (NASB)

King Saul was shaken, and the Israelites were trembling with fear; both were hiding.  Hearts were divided, and desperation was brewing among the people.  Divine intervention was needed!  So the Miracle Worker caused an earthquake and sent a great panic to help Jonathan win the fight.  Confusion overcame the land as the Philistines turned on one another!  God was able to accomplish great work through two willing hearts; one brave soldier and his loyal armor bearer. Jonathan faced his enemy and his helper followed close!

The battle is never won in our strength…not with our intelligence, money, or talents. Rather, God uses men such as Jonathan and those He rallies to help them.  Both were brave and willing to face the unknown.  Neither were seeking attention or fame, and one was unnamed.  Jonathan and his unrecognizable shadow  crawled on hands and knees to conquer the rugged cliffs, and fight the enemy.  They knew God could prevail with many or few.  Both were remembered!

We must also respond to God’s call of action…and He will take care of the rest.  He will shake what needs to be shaken, and equip and provide for the task.  Victory will be possible when we are obedient!

God uses eager, trusting hearts to win the battle.   Whether courageous and bold ….fearful and lacking…if we step out in faith, He will supply!  It is His power that matters…nothing else!  Are you a leader like Jonathan? Or is God calling you to encourage someone who is in a position of authority?  Regardless, both are equally important!

If you can’t be a Jonathan, find a Jonathan to support…. and get moving! There is eternity work for us to do!

~Lily Mae

Breaking up the Hard Ground

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Sow with a view to righteousness,
Reap in accordance with kindness;
Break up your fallow ground,
For it is time to seek the Lord
Until He comes to rain
Righteousness on you.
Hosea 10:12 (NASB)

The earth is weary of winter and longing for spring.  God is breaking hard ground, and color is pushing upward.   I was grateful for dandelions, and their burst of yellow.  It didn’t matter that they were weeds.  Within days, splashes of purple decorated the fields at my feet.  And this week after soaking rains, the trees began to sprout shoots of leafy green.  Running had a purpose again!  New growth was unfolding, and simple wonders could be found.  My spirit began to rise!

It’s that season…a time to clear the fallen limbs and twigs , dig up the dirt, fertilize and mulch, and plant seeds.  Hope is on the horizon!  A chance for change and beauty in the making!  I was ready for a different view….and a wise friend reminded me that I must start with myself.  God was breaking up my hardened heart, and trying to plant new life inside!

Winter had taken its toll, and if I wasn’t cycling with rebellious thoughts, I was doing an inchworm dance.  Squirming over little bumps, and not making much progress!  I’m sure God raised His eyebrow a number of times, wondering why I hadn’t learned my lesson.  I felt like a ball, tethered to a pole, and repeatedly punched!  No escape, just swinging high from the hits that came…I was exhausted!  And something needed to give…

It was time to reflect  on how I was coping with stress, and my daily routine, and determine what wasn’t working.  Was I sitting too much, or over zealous in my efforts?  There were days I grazed, and ate unhealthy.  And the next I was so busy, I’d forget to eat!  I was lacking sleep, and the bags under my eyes fit my grumpy demeanor! I wanted to run, but my body fought each step!  I was tired and drinking too much coffee.   My joy had been packed away when the autumn sun had kissed me goodbye.  And I was ready to dig through my own dirt!

I was harboring an unforgiving spirit, and it was shading my view.  I had a knot in my stomach, and a tangled mess at my feet.  And every day I stepped out of bed, I picked it up and carried it through the day.  I couldn’t let go of my pain, and had begun to build a wall.  When I was hurt, I just walked away. I stopped engaging, and escaped the confrontations.  I had been doing it a long time.  And I had become good at it!

True forgiveness is of God; the self cannot forgive in its natural, sinful state!  Every part of me screamed against it.  I had to cease the striving, and die to self.  When I chose to love and extend grace, even when it was uncomfortable, I felt God breaking through the hard corners of my heart.  He was plowing the soil of my soul, and it was going to be worth it!  I was forgiveness ready…and it was messy and hurt.  But as I chose to love, I  would no longer remember the indiscretions and wrongdoings.  New beginnings were possible!

Is God breaking ground in your own heart?  Spring is the season to reflect on change.  Are you ready to forgive the things of the past, current hurts, and future wrongs?  Choose kindness….turn towards love and walk in His ways.  And He will help you forgive!

~Lily Mae