TANGLED

Sometimes things seem so TANGLED don't they?  I mean, life....it just gets  kind of confusing.  What should I be doing at this point in my life?  Am I on the right path?  Do I know what this day holds?  Do I know what the next week holds?  Do I know what the next year holds?  NOPE!  No, I do not know even know what the next minute holds to be honest!  But God does!  

I think it's pretty "normal" for us humans to want to know what is ahead in life.  It is comforting and it gives us some semblance of control to have our path laid out before us.  But the truth is, sometimes the path seems to be somewhat blurry with all kinds of "what if's" and things that seem to circle back around somehow get going in a directions that we didn't expect.  We find ourselves in places that we didn't think we would be, and find ourselves knotted up with worry and fear.  Sometimes we keep trying to move in a certain direction but the "knots" bind us and we can't move forth. The harder we pull, the tighter things seem.  Ever have that happen?  

I'm working on a crochet project and I'm trying to untangle the yarn so that I can roll it into balls.  I started with one end and started rolling until I came to a massive tangle.  So, I started at the other end....and met the same tangle!  Frustration causes me to want to abandon the project!  The harder I pull to free up the tangled mess, the tighter the knots get.  How can that nice skein of yarn that I bought in the store become so tangled?  How can my best laid out plans for my life become so confusing? 

Have you ever wanted to ask God that question?  Have you ever wished He would just give you all of the details for your future RIGHT NOW?

What about the world around us?  Things are changing so fast.  The way things were are certainly not the way they are today.  I had a friend tell me one day that the changes happen exponentially....kind of like a snowball.  They start slow and as the ball keeps rolling, the changes become more drastic, more quickly.  And I've also heard it said that life is like a roll of toilet paper.....the closer you get to the end of the roll, the faster it runs out!  If both of these analogies are true, it's no wonder things get a little TANGLED! 

Have you ever wanted to ask God why He allows so many things to be so confusing and corrupt in our world?  It sometimes appears that things are so out of control and it can give us a sense of fear and frustration when we can't make sense of things or see a way out of the entangled mess. 

The world is changing, but God is NOT.  He is the same today as He was before creation and will be unchanging for all eternity.  None of the entanglements in this world are a surprise to Him.  HE IS IN CONTROL, even when we can't see it.  His ways are not our ways, and often times He uses very UNLIKELY ways to STRAIGHTEN THINGS OUT. 

After fighting with the yarn for awhile, I realized that if I gently loosened the knots and allowed the loops to become bigger, I was able to see where things got tangled up.  My table had yarn stretched out all over it before I was done! I had to just work on it little by little.  After awhile things began to straighten out so I could gradually roll the yarn into one nice ball.  

Seems strange that to untangle something, you have to allow things to be kind of messy first!  But isn't life sometimes like that? Sometimes we have to backtrack to see where things took a wrong turn before we can understand how to go forward. Sometimes we have to "loosen up" our stubborn ways or unforgiving hearts in order to free up those knotted areas. 

Our path certainly isn't all laid out before us to see in plain sight.  We have to move along little by little taking care not" to pull against or stray from God's will for us to avoid big tangles.  He has given believers the gift of His Holy Spirit to guide us.  He goes before us and prepares the way, and we follow obediently with trust that He has perfect plans for our lives, and He often uses UNLIKELY ways to straighten things out when we have found ourselves all tangled up!  

We can trust Him with our lives and even with the TANGLED UP MESS this world seems to be in.  

SO.....

 "Be not dismayed, for I am your God" Isaiah 41:10

"My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways, " declares the Lord. Isaiah 55:8

 "Fear not, for I am with you; I will strengthen you, help you and uphold you with My righteous right hand." Isaiah 41:10     

 "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3:5-6        

Singing Before the Dawn

                                                                           

Tossing and turning in the wee hours of the morning.....it has a tendency to make a person anxious.  If I lay there, my mind fills with worries, to-do's, regrets, and sorrows.  I have learned that just getting out of bed and coming to Jesus is the only way to combat those destructive thoughts and ease my anxious heart.  So, I pull on my fleece and my wool socks and pour myself a hot cup of coffee and snuggle up to the ONE who rights all wrongs through the power of His Word and the presence of His Spirit.

It's still very dark outside.  It's rainy and the wind is causing the trees to sway and tremble.  Sometimes life feels dark and damp and the winds of change cause us to sway and tremble in ways that run contrary to the strength that we think faith should bring.  Why is it that in the darkness of life, we imagine the monsters are lurking?  Why is it that the same places that bring joy and solace suddenly become frightening when there is darkness?  

The birds know something we don't know...they know before the dawn that even though there is darkness, there is hope.  Before I even see a glimmer of the light of dawn, I hear them frantically chirping in those wet swaying trees.  They are singing so loudly that even through the walls that keep me dry and warm I can hear them.  They sing before the dawn....they sing in the darkness knowing the light is coming.  They have no walls of protection, no blankets of warmth....they don't even know where their next meal will come from....but THEY KNOW the dawn is coming and they usher it in with their songs of hope.

What if we could do the same thing?  What if, no matter how dark, how cold, how unsteady life seems, we could remember the Light?  What if we could sing praises to the Light of the world just because we know He is there and we know that soon He will appear?  What if we could hold fast even in the swaying and trembling times just because we know that those too shall pass?

A big Robin dares to drop down from the tree to forage along the ground, a big pheasant wanders into the yard, coming close enough that I can see his bright head in the dim of the morning. Sometimes you have to go to the lowest places....and take the greatest risks to find sustenance. Sometimes you have to drop to your knees in prayer and forget about your "safety" to find food for your soul even before the light of the dawn.....and that's TRUE FAITH.  Even though what we feel may SEEM contrary to the strength that our faith should bring, living and acting upon what we know to be true....EVEN IN THE DARKNESS.... Is having TRUE FAITH. 

                                     

                                                                         

De-cluttering and Re-newing

We are in the process of change. I have never been one to like change----in fact I am most happy in my  comfort zone of what I know and what I am used to.  I like routine, and I really really like being able to count on things being predictable!  I guess that's why I have been in the same job for 25 years, despite moving 90 miles from my job 18 years ago!  And I guess that's why we have lived in the same house for the last 18 years with the same old stuff....gathering more old stuff as the years have gone by!  But there comes a time when we step back and take a look and realize that things are getting run down and dusty and mighty cluttered.  Paint is chipping off of the siding, the carpets are looking ragged, and the walls are looking a bit dated.  I open the closet door in just about any room in the house and am afraid of what might spill out!  The kids are all mostly moved out, yet their rooms still occupy many of the traces of years gone by----and when I say traces, I mean BIG traces....like closets FULL of their traces!  Don't get me wrong, it has been so comforting having pieces of them still here and I miss them so much now that they are gone, but maybe it's time to do a little decluttering and refreshing in this house! 

So, we began this "process of change" about 6 weeks ago and it has been a lot more work and a lot more costly than I ever would have imagined!  One thing I have come to realize through this process is that it often has to get a whole lot messy before it can be pretty!  Things have to come out in the open and sorted through before they can be either eliminated or put back in some semblance of order. Choices have to be made and laziness has to go out the window because all of this is hard work!  Sometimes I think it never ends!  And in a sense, it doesn't, because we are always making small changes along the way, and up-keep is necessary. 

Isn't this a metaphor of life?  I am really finding lots of parallels along the way!  Life can get so "routine" that we forget to stand back and take a good look at what is really important and what needs changed and "de-cluttered".  Our interior becomes bogged down by worldly baggage and dusty with the dirt of the heart.  Our exterior can look good for a long time, but eventually it starts showing signs of wear.  Like peeling paint, eventually we begin to see what's really underneath the veneer of appearance.  The things of the heart gradually are exposed and there is no other logical choice except to deal with the mess and clean up the clutter.

I lost count of how many bags of garbage we have hauled to the dump, and how many boxes of "stuff" have been donated. It has been an absolute mess in this house at times as we have pulled stuff out of the closets and drawers, and as we have slapped paint after paint on these walls!  But the mess is part of the process. We are getting at the point now where we can see how it's all going to look when it's done.  Our perspective has gone from feeling heavily burdened, to a feeling of anticipation as we see each room with a new coat of paint and space in the corners and closets! I don't know what I would have done without the help of my husband and kids and the professionals that remove the old siding and flooring and replace it with new.  There is no way that one person could do this alone!

The process of change is hard and slow going but step by step the work gets done and we start to see progress and get excited about the prospect of a refreshed and more simple perspective on things. The process of change is not something we can do alone.  We need the help of "The Great Transformer" in order to even be able to step back and see what is failing and what needs some tender loving care in order to be sustained and maintained.  Only God can see what He originally designed us to be, and only in His power can we have the strength to make the changes necessary in order to be who He created us to be.  It's an ongoing process----up-keep is necessary----but He gives us glimpses of His glory and new perspectives as we shed the things that are weighing us down and filling our lives with clutter and sin. 

Soon the siding will be done and the house will look new on the outside, but a house is only as good as what is on the inside---- the framework and foundation, and a few special touches of character in the décor!  I want my life to be that way too.  I want to reflect on the outside what is really on the inside.  I want my foundation to be strong in the Lord, and the framework of my life to be based on that foundation.  And I want the uniqueness that He blessed me with to show in the "décor" of my personality.  I want all who enter in to this house and to my life to feel loved and welcomed and feel the presence of the Lord in it all, and I know that He will be faithful to transform my heart in order for that to be so.  He is good----and He is always up for a good remodel!

Hope in the Labor of Living

My daughter Kylie and baby Hayden.
Photo credit Elle.Jae Photography 

Do you ever feel like living in this messed up world is just too hard?  Have you ever said, "I can't do this!"  Have you ever been so worn out and worn down by your circumstances that you just don't feel like you can endure one more painful thing?  If we had no hope, we would certainly feel like giving up wouldn't we?

I worked as an OB nurse for 8 years before working in the NICU, and I remember hearing the words, "this is too hard, I can't do this anymore", numerous times from women  in labor.  And having experienced labor 3 times myself, I certainly could relate! They say that the labor of childbirth is one of the most intense types of physical pain that there is.  That must be true because even Jesus uses the example of labor to describe the sorrow of life.

"When a woman is giving birth, she has sorrow because her hour has come, but when she has delivered the baby, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world." John 16:21 ESV

And those who have experienced pregnancy can attest to the fact that it is not just the labor that is difficult, it is the whole process of having a tiny human growing and developing inside of you.  The body goes through many changes.....many of which are not so pleasant!  Fatigue, nausea, joint pain, back aches, swelling, and many other symptoms are part of the process as the body is stretched beyond imagination! But haven't you also witnessed the "glow" of a pregnant woman?  It's true, there is a special glow of joy that undergirds every other physical symptom, and it is distinctly lovely!

The journey through pregnancy, labor and delivery would be almost impossible if it weren't for the hope of what was to come through it all.  The anguish is forgotten "for the joy that a human being has been born into the world" as Jesus said.  I can still distinctly remember those moments when I held my new babies in my arms for the first time, and how all of the memory of the pain melted away as I gazed upon their tiny faces and felt  the warmth of their little bodies next to mine. Just as the journey through pregnancy and delivery would be unbearable without the hope of what is to come, the journey through life would almost be impossible if it weren't for the hope we have in Jesus, and the promise of eternal life.

In the passage in John 16, Jesus is speaking to His disciples and encouraging them as they sorrow over knowing that Jesus would soon be leaving them.  But Jesus tells them that although they will experience sorrow, it would soon turn to joy and their hearts would rejoice as they look forward to seeing Him again.  He told them that no one would be able to take their joy from them.

What about that joy?  As Christians, shouldn't we, like a woman with child, be undergirded with that special glow of joy as we go through the labors of life?  Shoudn't we always keep it tucked away deep in our hearts as a constant reminder of what is to come?  But in all honesty, sometimes I get so caught up in how I am feeling that I tend to mask that joy that I have in Jesus.  I find myself saying, "this situation is just too hard....I want it to be fixed!"  Or I get so caught up in the busyness of life that I forget about the growing life inside of me....the life that is being transformed by the Holy Spirit in me.

The world can be a dark place.  We are seeing so many things changing and are experiencing the sorrows associated with the evil in the world.  I like how Paul states it in Romans 8:22-24 NLT

22 For we know that all creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time.

23 And we believers also groan, even though we have the Holy Spirit within us as a foretaste of future glory, for we long for our bodies to be released from sin and suffering. We, too, wait with eager hope for the day when God will give us our full rights as his adopted children, including the new bodies he has promised us.

24 We were given this hope when we were saved. 

So HOPE is our JOY.  Hope is what undergirds all other circumstances of life because we KNOW what is to come.  In the labor of childbirth, it is often helpful to concentrate on a focal point to get through a painful contraction.  The same holds true in the painful times of life....keeping our eyes fixed on the hope we have in Jesus gets us through each wave of pain. In the labors of life we can display the glow of joy and hope as we focus our eyes on Jesus and the promises of life everlasting where there will be no more pain and suffering....

"Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full at His wonderful face

And the things of earth will grow strangely dim

In the light of His glory and grace"

So the old labor coach in me says, " YOU CAN DO THIS!  YES YOU CAN!  THE BEST IS YET TO COME!"

Kara 5/28/16

Kathy

                                               

Anxiously, I stepped into the church that day.  A Bible study class?  Was I really here?  I had a new friend, that's all I knew.  Another mom at the kids' swimming lessons had invited me to "this really great Bible study", and even though it was only July and the Bible study wouldn't be starting until September, my "Yes" stood firm in my heart.  I didn't understand it because ordinarily I would have found every excuse in the book to say "NO!" , but for some reason, I held on to that invitation and when September came around, I climbed in to my new friend Anita's car and off we went.

I know now that it was God who was drawing me near, but at the time, I was intrigued by this new laughter-filled friend and I wanted to meet more people like her.  My motive wasn't really to meet Jesus there, it was to meet new friends!  

As we gathered into the Methodist Church in Cody that day, there was a sweet red-headed lady teaching the class, and upon exploration, I realized that she was my dad's cousin Kathy Reed!  Being from a large family, I had never even met Kathy before, but I had come into contact with her family through my work as an NICU nurse in Billings.  Kathy's grandson Nicholas was a tiny one in our NICU for awhile, and a connection was made with his mom and dad almost by accident as I asked them if they knew any of my family members in Powell, (since they were farmers in Cody!).  To our surprise, we realized that we were distant cousins!  Coincidence?  Again, as I look back, I can see the sweet serendipitous sovereignty of God who was orchestrating a part of His grand plan for my life.  And as we know, He never orchestrates a plan just for one person's life without tendrils of purpose intertwining with the lives of others.  That first day, in that first church, with that first sweet red-headed teaching leader, became the first step on the journey of my faith in Jesus.  And not only did I find that I would make new and precious friends there, I found the greatest friend of all, Jesus Christ. 

But I want to talk about my precious friend Kathy for a moment.  Have you ever met someone and thought that they were too good to be true?!  Well, that was my first impression of Kathy. From the very beginning, I knew there was something very special about her.  At the time, I really never had studied the Bible before, and although I called myself a Christian, I really was guarded around Christians.  I had never been ridiculed or "judged" by other Christians, but for some reason I always felt inferior to them.  I saw them as a group of people that were a step above those of us who weren't really involved as Christians.  They seemed to have it all together, while I seemed to struggle with always thinking that the things I did in my iife were not quite good enough.  They seemed so sure of themselves and confident that they were doing everything right.  Well, that was my perception!  But Kathy, well she was different than all of the other Christians I had met.  She had this quiet and gentle way about her that made her easy to approach.  She had this humble way of relating to others and there was a warm glow that came from her spirit that drew me in.  I found myself trusting her every word and I began to think that if that is what a real Christian acted like, I wanted to be one!

I think God knows that His children need to be met right where they are at when they begin their journey of faith.......even if it means that He must allow people like me to fall in love with Him through loving another person first.  That is what happened in those first months of BSF as I listened to Kathy humbly deliver the lecture each week and introduce me to Jesus' love through her love.  She spent extra time talking with me and answering my questions, and she always made me feel so special as she praised God for how He was growing my faith.  I'm sure that I said some pretty juvenile things, but she always acted like it was something that was so profound!  You see, Kathy met me where I was at too, and she took my hand and lovingly walked with me to see Jesus, beaming all the way with her warm smile and gracious words.

Over the years, 16 1/2 to be exact (!), Kathy has become very dear to me and a big part of my life.  She has trusted God enough to invite me into leadership, and has mentored me in so many ways as I have sought to serve the Lord in BSF.  She has become someone who I would trust my heart with, and has laughed and cried with me through many of life's circumstances.  They say that followers of Jesus are connected in a unique and other-worldly way through His Holy Spirit, and I know that is true because so many times we reach out to one another through a phone call or text or email, because God prompts us just at the right time when we need each other most.  He has blessed us with like-minds and hearts so that we can be there for one another and pray for one another, and grow close to Him together.  I thank Him every single day, and sometimes several times a day(!) for His sweet gift of Kathy in my life.  And although her roles are changing a bit as she steps down as BSF Teaching Leader, she will always be one of my most precious treasures.  This life on earth is fleeting, and things are changing quickly, but one thing that we can count on for sure is that we will spend eternity praising God together, and I cannot think of ANYTHING better than that!  I love you sweet Kathy!

Faithful Servant

She runs around ragged

she searches high and low

she knows there is something more

something she does not yet know

He knows she is searching

He knows she is lost

So He sends His precious servant

for whom He paid the cost

His servant's name is Kathy

she is lit up with His light

He calls her His beloved

and He has made her right

She warms the world with her smile

she warms hearts with her love

She lives in the image of Jesus

turning hearts and minds above

He sends her to the lost

His servant obeys His call

and with His wonderful grace

she reaches out to all

The lost one wanders

looking for something real

and suddenly up ahead

His servant comes to heal

She meets her in her broken place

stoops down at her side

and whispers words of His love

saying, “there's no need to hide”

The servant reaches out her hand

and says, “Come and See!”

and with trust the lost one goes with her

right to the Tree

The servant introduces Jesus

who was once upon that Tree

which was made into a Cross

to set His people free

The lost one now sees the Light

which was once clouded with doubt

then the servant does something

that causes the heavens to shout

She places the lost one's hand

into His mighty grasp

and says, “now walk with Him”

you are found at last!

Well Done, Good and Faithful Servant of God!

Kara Althoff

May 6, 2016

A Hole in the Clouds

As I was driving home from work the other day I witnessed a really cool thing......... It was a hole in the clouds! Right smack dab in the middle of the dismal darkness of the stormy gray clouds was a patch of glory! Blue sky and sunshine....right in the midst of rain and wind! 

I stuck my wobbly hand out the window to try and catch a pic while driving....I know, NOT a good idea!   But it was just so......just so......HOPEFUL, I guess is the right word I am looking for. That little spot of happiness was so refreshing even though it was surrounded by gloominess. And the fact that it actually could be that way was astounding to me! 

Well, it really doesn't take much to thrill me....I'm pretty simple that way.....but it just got me to thinking.   I mean, how many times have you been right in the middle of a hard time and all of a sudden something sweet happens? Children tend to do that to me......no matter what the state of the messy day is in, a child can say something funny or giggle or plaster a big kiss on your cheek and suddenly all is well with your soul! Kids don't take life too seriously, and it takes a lot to knock them down because they can always find pieces of pleasure in their midst. And shouldn't we be that way too? 

My niece Grace is like that. No matter what's going on in life, she always has a quirky joke to tell or a song to sing. And that gap between her baby teeth used to just make me smile all over!

  GRACE. What a good name for her.

 Who deserves such sweetness? 

God's Grace is like that.  He always has a Word of encouragement and a breath of Love to share. Just when we feel heavy burdened, He gives us rest. Just when rains of tears of sorrow are falling, He sends a patch of His glory to give us hope.  He is our Hole in the Clouds.

There are pieces of pleasure all around, and when we take time to see them we experience His Grace. And I'll bet if we share them, we can be somebody else's Hole in the Clouds too!

I pray that in the midst of this cold and cloudy spring day, you find your Hole in the Clouds.

Grace to you💜

Hazy Sunrise

I've been up since 4:19 am. Sleepless nights come frequently at this stage of life! I learned a long time ago that it works best to just GET UP rather than laying there wrestling with the bed, and wrestling with the myriad of thoughts that flood into my mind. Many times I have found that God is calling me to get up ....and then get back down on my knees to pray. Some of the most peaceful and profound moments are those moments of prayer.

This morning I sat facing the east window of my living room. I kept thinking that the "bonus" of getting up this early is that I will be sure to see every bit of the sunrise. So after about an hour, the sun finally began to peek above the Bighorn mountains and I was prepared for a glorious array of color and splendor! Well.....there was light, and a soft pink hue, but as the light shined brighter I began to realize that the splendor was cast over by a layer of fog. Mist rose from the freshly plowed and planted field and the trees in the distance look like blurry shadows of darkness in the morning light. I won't lie, I was a little disappointed......I mean really? If I'm going to get up this early shouldn't I be rewarded with a brilliant sunrise?!

But as I sit here and think about this, I realize that the problem isn't the fog.....it's my perspective. Do you ever have times in your life that everything seems foggy? The fog of discouragement, fear, hopelessness, sorrow, stagnancy, and fatigue can cover over the splendors of life. Apathy begins to creep in and one day you find yourself wondering where all the color has gone. That's where I have been lately. But instead of the fog being the problem, I am thinking that my perspective is even more the culprit.

I am still sitting here in the morning light...it is now 6:18 am, and the sun is beginning to burn right through that haze.  But even so, there is beauty in that fog. And I'm pretty sure that I wouldn't even notice the blurriness without the light.

The things that obscure clear vision can either hinder us or they can help us. We can learn to see those things as reasons to look more to the Son....look to His burning light that overpowers darkness and fog. The things that try to knock us DOWN can be the very things that cause us to look UP. The mist that rises up from the fertile soil of faith can actually accentuate spiritual growth. As I change my perspective from focusing on the fog, I begin to see that there is NOTHING more powerful than the Son.

 Does it make sense when I say that maybe we should view the fog through the sun, rather than the sun through the fog? Because that's exactly what a changed perspective is......instead of viewing God through our circumstances, we view our circumstances through God.  And when we do that,  His glory shines....and so does our hope!

It's now 6:44 am and I am squinting! The sun is shing so bright that I might have to put my sunglasses on, right here in my living room! Wouldn't that be a sight...sunglasses and PJ's....on the sofa?! My husband is sure to think I've lost my mind! 

Have a blessed day all!

Kara

Funerals and Baby Showers

Celebration of life.....one going out and one coming in......sorrow and joy mixed. That combination can bring us to our knees with questions in our minds and wonder in our hearts. The complexity of it can be overwhelming, yet the simplicity of its unwavering occurrence leaves us often taking it all for granted. There is birth and there is death. In a physical sense, it seems cut and dried. But on a deeper emotional  and spiritual level, the only cutting and drying that occurs is the cutting of heart and the drying of tears.

As our family eagerly prepares for the entry of a new baby girl, we mourn the unexpected losses of  two family members.  It's ironic that we call a pregnant woman, one who is "Expecting" and then use the same term as we describe a sudden death, as one that was "Unexpected". Maybe it should be the other way around? After all, we "Expect" that all people will die, but never are quite sure when one would be blessed with new life...right? But what if, instead of separating it all out, it could become one? What if we had no expectations except that new life passes into New Life? It's all more connected than we may think. This life is temporary, yet we have such a hard time letting go. But New Life is eternal......instead of letting go, we can embrace it and hang on to the fact that death as we know it, is really only the beginning of eternal New Life for a believer.

As we enter in to Holy Week, we ponder the most heart wrenching death of all.....the Crucifixion of Jesus; and we celebrate the most wondrous truth of all....the Resurrection of Jesus. His life here on Earth as one of us was temporary, but had an earth shattering purpose. What He did on the Cross made it possible to connect that gap between temporary and eternal. His resurrection is proof of His "realness" .....proof that He indeed is our Lord and Savior.......and proof that we too can be resurrected into New Life as we accept this to be true and live a life following AFTER Him, until we are called to eternal life WITH Him.  As we die to our self focused ways, and take up His Cross.....where His forgiveness bled down.....we become one with eternal life.....New Life. Oh, the Bliss of it!

We celebrate life, both at Baby Showers AND Funerals, because life has earth shattering purpose. We welcome fresh new babies with Hope, and we say good-bye to those who have left us........with Hope.

And in between, we live with earth shattering purpose.....shattering all expectations that bind us to earthly limitations and hopelessness. We live while embracing the heavenly realm of loving God and one another. And we live forwardly, in expectancy of what is to come......when birth is just birth and death is no more.

"Now Faith is the confidence of what we hope for and assurance of what we do not see"

 Hebrews 11:1 (NIV)

"The fundamental fact of existence is that this trust in God, this Faith, is the firm foundation under everything that makes life worth living." Hebrews 11:1 (The Message)

Be Still My Soul by Kara Althoff

                  Peaceful Iona sunset

Have you ever had to swallow something so bitter that it leaves a vacuum-like hollow spot deep in your gut?  I'm not talking about literally swallowing something....although it definately feels like it sometimes when troubles asail us doesn't it?  I'm talking about the times when you find out that your friend has Cancer, or your child is in trouble, or someone you've loved has suddenly died, or you have been betrayed at the deepest level.  I don't like that horrible helpless feeling that washes over me when something "bitter-tasting" occurs, but like a literal swallowing, it is the initial shock that is the worst, and then the digestion begins.

Lately, it seems like everywhere I turn, I am hearing about tragedy, violence, heartache, illness, and betrayal.  A person can get downright down-under if the burdens of the world are allowed to take over in her heart.  But the reality is, we are exposed to such agonizing things because they are part of the fabric of our lives.  I'm not gonna lie....I would rather put my head in the sand to avoid facing things.  And sometimes I turn and run swiftly in the opposite direction to try and escape the sorrow.  I've never been a "face it head on" kinda girl.  But some things just hit head-on whether we want it to or not.  

When I am consumed with "self", I tend to choke on the "bitter things" more easily.  But when my eyes are fixed on Jesus, most things pale in comparison to His amazing grace and His mysterious ways of revealing sparkling beauty and sweetness amidst the bitterness.  When I truly take the time to look around at all of the good that is happening in this world, and in my life and in the lives of those I love, I find peace.  When I am still, I remember that the Lord is on my side and has my best interest at heart...as He does all His children.  His will trumps all wills.  Oh, but I do wrestle with my "self" so often!  I have to make a conscious effort to stop and look around and let go  of the things that tie me into knots.  

I have recently read a book called, " The Hardest Peace" by Kara Tippets and have been following her blog called Mundane Faithfulness.  I have been truly humbled as I have followed her journey through Cancer.  She has 4 young children and a vibrant heart for the Lord.....but she is dying.  This woman, despite her pain and suffering, has maintained her ministry of speaking such wonder and love to a vast audience of readers.  She has been faithful and persistent in sharing the goodness of God, even in her darkest days.  She is honest and open about the hardest peace, but she always comes to one conclusion.....she has Jesus, and He is enough.  I have been moved deeply by her words and her faith.

http://youtu.be/rKDC4ugYQOk

No matter what happens in this world, Jesus has overcome it and HE IS ENOUGH.  Therefore, we can swallow those bitter things trust Him to help us digest and work through them in HIS strength.  We can trust Him to not only get us through them, we can trust Him to use them to bring about new faith and new discoveries of His vast character of love and grace.  So......take a deep breath and breathe Him in.  Let His Spirit fill your soul as you sit in stillness before Him.  Allow His Presence to be your focus and peace in this crazy mixed-up world.  His sweetness will overshadow the bitter things as He reveals the goodness that is happening all around.  And........the best is yet to come for those who trust Him!

"Be Still, My Soul"
by Catharina von Schlegel, 1697-?
Translated by Jane Borthwick, 1813-1897

1. Be still, my soul; the Lord is on thy side;
Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain;
Leave to thy God to order and provide;
In every change He faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul; thy best, thy heavenly, Friend
Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.

2. Be still, my soul; thy God doth undertake
To guide the future as He has the past.
Thy hope, thy confidence, let nothing shake;
All now mysterious shall be bright at last.
Be still, my soul; the waves and winds still know
His voice who ruled them while He dwelt below.

3. Be still, my soul, though dearest friends depart
And all is darkened in the vale of tears;
Then shalt thou better know His love, His heart,
Who comes to soothe thy sorrows and thy fears.
Be still, my soul; thy Jesus can repay
From His own fulness all He takes away.

4. Be still, my soul; the hour is hastening on
When we shall be forever with the Lord,
When disappointment, grief, and fear are gone,
Sorrow forgot, love's purest joys restored.
Be still, my soul; when change and tears are past,
All safe and blessed we shall meet at last.

Shelter from the wind

        

             Internet photo

I read somewhere that when there are strong winds, birds often fly directly in to the wind instead of away from the wind. Why? Because they know that the winds will lift them to greater heights, bringing them closer to the warmth of the sun.

The wind has been howling all night long on this cold November day. Our bedroom is on the second floor of our house, and at times, I thought the roof was going to blow right off!  But I know better. I know the roof is secured by layers of shingles, wood, insulation, and many strong nails.  Though the wind may be forceful, our shelter is secure. 

Sufferings are the winds of life, and Satan's torments are always lashing at the windows of our soul. In fact, sometimes I feel like the winds might knock me right down. But our refuge in the Lord is secure. We are protected by layers of His loving forgiveness, and insulated by His Word, because He endured the wood and nails of the Cross that saved us from the eternal destruction of the winds of sin. 

The winds of Satan's torments are meant for harm, but what Satan means for harm, God uses for good. Just like those birds who fly in to the wind, we too can trust God to bring us to greater heights of faith as we trust Him in our struggles, and bring us closer and closer to the warmth of The Son.

They say you can't really see the wind itself.  It is an invisible force that can only be evidenced by how it affects things that we CAN see. What if we were one of those things that others can see in the wind? What if, instead of destruction, they could see us standing firm like a firmly rooted tree?  Though we may sway and bend at times, we can stand strong because when our faith is deeply rooted in Christ, we will not be knocked down.

What kinds of winds are blowing in your life right now? Will you remember that in Jesus, your refuge is secure? He will strengthen your roots of faith as you trust Him to lift you to greater heights of His love.

Sand Castles out of Dust

It was a hot, dry afternoon and little Maisy had decided she had had enough antique shopping for one day, so Auntie Kara took her outside to play. Unfortunately, the parking lot was not ideal for a 3 year old to play in. Just as I was about to suggest a little walk around the block, she excitedly said," I'm going to make a sand castle!"  (Don't you just love toddler 'accents'?!). 

Well, at this point I took pity upon the poor child-----I mean, how in the world was she going to make a sand castle out of practically NOTHING?  Other than a thin layer of dirt and tiny pebbles, the parking lot seemed void of hope for a sand castle. As I was busy doubting, Maisy's tiny hands went to work! She built a small mound and patted it all smooth with tender care.  I stood watching, thinking, "oh bless her heart!" I was ready to move on when she reached for a few tiny little twigs and gingerly poked them in like tiny flags, proudly declaring the importance of her little castle.  I complimented her effort ....but she wasn't done yet! 

Maisy stood up and scanned the parking lot, obviously seeing more potential in that dusty parking lot. Her ponytail bounced as she ran over to some small rocks. She exclaimed, "there's some pretty rocks over here!  I'm going to c'lect 'em!" One by one she took each rock over and carefully placed it near her castle. As I visited with her mommy who had just come out from the store, Maisy was working on her masterpiece. When I looked down, I was amazed! Each rock was placed according to it's size, creating a grand entrance to the wonderful castle. It was then that I started to feel very small....and Maisy was looking more and more wise by the minute.

Just when I thought there could be NOTHING more she could do, (Oh me of little faith!) the 3-year old wonder stood up and scanned that old parking lot yet again. I glanced as she headed toward some old bushes that were up against the hot brick building.  With my doubting eyes, I saw NOTHING, but Maisy.....well she saw SOMETHING!  And here she came running back with 2 bright pink little flowers that she had spotted on the bush! Who woulda thunk it?!  It was the end of summer....and the blooms should have been done, but nope, not today!

With a big smile of satisfaction, Maisy placed those precious treasures upon her "Sand Castle" and stood back to admire her works.......and it was then that I got it!  The faith of a child knows no bounds. Where there is hope, SOMETHING can always be made from NOTHING.  Because the truth of the matter is this.....NOTHING is SOMETHING. You see, everything has a purpose, it just takes faith to see it.

The Laying of Hands

Up before the crack of dawn, I sit at my dining room table with a heavy heart.....a mother's heart, heavy laden with sorrow for the changes life has brought her child.  I longingly look over at the photo on the table......the one that has been sitting there since 2006 when we took a family trip together and lined up  before dinner to have a quick photo shoot.  

I look at the photo with an ache of wanting the past to be now...wanting to have those kids near again. I almost feel their hands upon me as I gaze at the picture...I almost hear their joy over the ticking of the clock above my head.  Oh, to have my hand upon that son again....holding him steady and keeping him safe.

I pray and pray for all things bad to be brought to good.....the way God promises.  I pray and pray for the strength to endure the process. I pray for wisdom to know how to take the next step and for faith to trust my feet to move in those steps....because sometimes I can become downright paralyzed with fear.

The Bible verse for the day pops up on my cellphone...."Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.  The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective". James 5:16   Suddenly there is a spark of hope that ignites from deep within my heart, because even in my "paralysis", there is always a prayer, and accompanying that prayer are countless other prayers from all around.  Faithful friends and family pour out their hearts in prayer and in a powerful swirl, they ascend and are heard by the ear of God.  Like a single breath in the atmosphere of a million breaths, our prayers join and become part of the huge and  powerful plea for help in this very lost world. 

I glance at the photo again, and this time I see it all-together differently.  Instead of longing and sorrow, I have hope as I see the laying of the hands.  

As my dear friend endured cancer, we had several opportunities to pray for her....and when there were too many hands to all be able to touch her, we would lay our hands on the person next to us, and that person would touch the person next to them until all hands led to the one being prayed over.   There is power in the joining of hands and hearts and whispers of prayer....there is healing and restoration that happens when we all come together on the behalf of one another.  And I, for the first time, notice the laying of the hands on my son in that photo.

Profound....it is absolutely profound how God can use something like that to give a mama hope.  But the realization of how one single prayer can make a difference just knocked me off my chair and on to my knees......and I thanked God for all of the people in my life that offer up their pleas to God on my behalf......on my family's behalf......and on my child's behalf......because those prayers are the "laying of the hands" upon the very ones that need healed.......and isn't that each one of us?  We all need the healing hand of God upon us, and through fervent prayers offered up, we can petition for one another in a chorus of hope, knowing that our gracious God hears and will answer in His own way.  That gives me peace.  And I am grateful beyond words.

Steadfast in the Storm

 God is within her, she will not fall;

                               God will help her at the break of day.    

                                                                              Psalm 46:5

I am awakened by the wind whistling through my open bedroom window.  It is still dark outside and the rain is falling, falling, falling......

I get up and go downstairs to make a cup of tea because I cannot sleep.  So many things seem to be shaking in the wind.....so many thoughts and concerns swirl in chaos in my heart and mind.

I look out the front window and the little tree is being blasted by bouts of sporadic wind.  The leaves flip so their dull colored backsides are shown.  But she is steadfast and instead of shaking, she sways with the currents of cold misty air.  

I've been watching her for 2 weeks in that little tree.  A mama Mourning Dove bravely made her nest on a low branch just 10 feet from our front porch.  And on those 2 little white eggs she sits, and sits, and sits.  It's only when I walk too close that she takes flight with a whimper, and watches from a nearby tree.  I've been watching.  I've been seeing her steadfastness, even in the storms.  I've been noticing how she sways instead of shaking......and how she stays instead of stirring.

                            Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall;

                                          He lifts His voice,

                                          the Earth melts.

                                The Lord Almighty is with us;

                             the God of Jacob is our fortress.

                                                                   Psalm 46:6-7

And now there is a hush..........shhhhhhhhh

It's quiet now

The sun is rising

And all that I hear is the cheerful chirps of those who have weathered the storm.

              BE STILL, AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD

                                                                                                                                        Psalm 46:10

                                    

Thirsty

Are you thirsty?

Sometimes I don't drink enough water.  I know this is not good, but I let my busyness distract me from drinking enough water in the day.  Sometimes I don't even realize that I am thirsty.....

Did you know that there are real side effects of not drinking enough water?  For example, one of the side effects of not drinking enough water is a taxing effect on our kidneys. They are not able to remove the toxins from our body effectively as they don’t have enough ‘fluid’ to flush our systems the way they are meant to. Instead, they overwork trying to flush ‘sludge’ instead of fluid from our system and hence can’t properly clean the urea and uric acid (amongst other toxins) the way they are meant to.

Other side effects include achy joints, headaches, fatigue, dry skin, irritability and depression....all which could be related to the inability to remove the toxins from our body.

The bottom line is, we don't feel or act our best when we don't drink enough water.  

Yesterday was a nice sunny day....one of the first warm days of the spring.  I mowed the lawn and as I finished, my head was pounding, my mouth was dry and I was out of energy.  But, after 5 or 6 glasses of water, I started feeling much better.  I felt restored and rejuvenated and was ready to take on the next thing on my list!  

There have been times that I simply retreated and succumbed to that head-pounding fatigue without replenishing my body with fluids-----the result?  Headache, lethargy, and slothfulness! 

Sometimes I just need somebody to remind me to drink water because it doesn't come naturally.  Sometimes I just need to keep a big drink bottle right in my presence so I remember to keep taking big gulps.

 I will lead them beside streams of water on a level path where they will not stumble....Jeremiah 31:9

For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour out my Spirit on your offspring, and my blessing on your descendants. Isaiah 44:3

All through scripture, there are references to water.  Jesus reminds me that HE is the water I need.....the Living Water. And He will lead me and remind me that only He can quench a true thirst.

Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” John 7:38

When I am spiritually dry because of neglecting to spend time with God, those toxins of doubt, fear, pride, self-centeredness, and anger, circulate in my body and the result?  Fuzzy-headed vision that fails to see things through the eyes of God, weakness and fatigue from the circumstances of life, and slothful living that wastes precious time that could be spent glorifying God.  

But by His Grace, I am restored and rejuvenated as He cleanses and fills me with the living water of His Spirit.

Each one will be like a shelter from the wind and a refuge from the storm, like streams of water in the desert and the shadow of a great rock in a thirsty land. Isaiah 32:2

That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither— whatever they do prospers. Psalm 1:3

And by that Water, we drink and we drink and we drink.  And we are cleansed and we are filled. We are filled and we overflow with the fruits born of the Water.  The fruits of the Spirit. 

I am thirsty.

Like that big water-bottle I keep in my presence to remind me to take big gulps, I keep my Bible near to remind me to drink in His Word.

As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God. Psalm 42:1

And after a few big gulps of His Word, I am ready to take on the next thing in my life!