The BEST Love on February 14th

Valentines day is almost here.  All week I’ve heard the commercials for chocolates and flowers.  In fact, one day this week I found myself glued to the floor in front of a rack of spectacular valentine cards at my local post office/gas station/subway store.  Valentines day is a unique “holiday” and whatever you may think about it, it reminds me of one thing.  People want to be loved.  And people want to be TOLD that they are loved. 

This year valentine’s day is on a Sunday.  For church-going-people, we may-or-may-not like that.  I have to admit that I am HAPPY it is on a Sunday this year.  It will give me the opportunity to remind a lot of people on valentines day that they are LOVED.  Really, truly, completely loved.  Thinking about the love of God this morning has reminded me of an old song – one of my favorites.  It’s called “The Love of God” and it was written in 1917.  Here are a couple of verses of it.  May it be a valentine to us all today:

The love of God is greater far
Than tongue or pen can ever tell;
It goes beyond the highest star,
And reaches to the lowest hell;
The guilty pair, bowed down with care,
God gave His Son to win;
His erring child He reconciled,
And pardoned from his sin. 

Refrain 

O love of God, how rich and pure!
How measureless and strong!
It shall forevermore endure
The saints’ and angels’ song.

Could we with ink the ocean fill,
And were the skies of parchment made,
Were every stalk on earth a quill,
And every man a scribe by trade,
To write the love of God above,
Would drain the ocean dry.
Nor could the scroll contain the whole,
Though stretched from sky to sky.

Letting Go

Last month we vacationed in the Smoky Mountain National Park.  One afternoon we sat at the “sink” and watched a group of people jump off a 20 foot cliff into a deep pool of water nestled between two waterfalls.  I knew then that it was inevitable.  My 18 year old son would do it.  In spite of the “caution” signs scattered around us, he would jump.   And I would let him.  I wanted to hold on…to keep him “safe”…to be in control.  But it was time to let go.  He did it without hesitation.  I cheered him on.  I even took a photo.  I’m glad I didn’t hold on too tight.  Sometimes the most important thing a mother can do is to “let go”.

Today I let go again.  It was time for a great-big-leap into independence.  Today he left the comfort and security of his home behind as he jumped off into college life.  He didn’t hesitate.  He didn’t look back.  I wanted to hold on…keep him “safe”…be in control.  I admit, I did what I could.  I helped make sure his room was stocked with all the “necessities” and that he knew how to do his laundry.  But it was time to let go.  I  cheered him on.  I even took a photo.  I’m glad I didn’t hold on too tight.  Sometimes the most important thing a mother can do is to “let go”.  Well, there is another important thing a mother can do.  She can be very, very proud of her courageous son.

It’s Raining

We’ve had a lot of rain in NW Florida lately.  I’m not complaining, I know we need the rain.  It is better than a drought!  But rain, although necessary, is seldom fun.

It has been raining INSIDE our house lately too.  You know…the A/C broke, my husband is sick (yuck), a major repair is needed to the house (big $$), its crunch time for back-to-school (college time)… You know, just “stuff”.   It rains in this life.  But, I have to tell you this…  All week long the scripture from last Sunday’s message (Isaiah 43:1-3) keeps rolling through my head and sinking into my heart.  I’m glad I never have to be alone.  I’m glad that my Redeemer is WITH me!!  (Whether I’m climbing a mountain, wading through a puddle, or pushing my way against the stream!)

¹ But now, this is what the LORD says—
       he who created you, O Jacob,
       he who formed you, O Israel:
       “Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
       I have summoned you by name; you are mine.

 ² When you pass through the waters,
       I will be with you;
       and when you pass through the rivers,
       they will not sweep over you.
       When you walk through the fire,
       you will not be burned;
       the flames will not set you ablaze.

 ³ For I am the LORD, your God,
       the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.  Isaiah 43:1-3

Faith of a Child

This week is VBS week at church.  It has been a wonderful, inspiring, energizing experience!  (And, yes, it has been tiring too–but well worth it!!)  Tonight was very special in the life of this pastor.  During story time and during the big group time, opportunity was given for the children to ask Jesus into their hearts.  Their response was so tender, so sweet, so…well…overwhelming.  There were so many.  They were so sincere.  I even got to hear some of their stories – what it meant to them – their testimonies that it was very real to them.

As I sat there and watched the front of the ministry center fill up with children praying, my heart was filled with joy as I remembered… 

• I remembered that my mother asked Jesus into her heart as a small child and she continues to walk with Him today…almost 80 years later. 
• I remembered my “big moment” at the tender age of 7 when I said “yes” to the call of Jesus.  He’s been my Lord for almost 40 years now.
• I remembered the special, unique stories of all three of my children as they opened their hearts to Jesus at 4 and 5 years of age.  I looked out and saw all three–no longer children, but leaders–who were actively sharing the gospel with the little ones.  Their faith has grown as they have grown.

I-know-that-I-know-that-I-know that Jesus loves children.  I know that a simple decision that is made in a young, tender heart can stand the test of time.  I know it…because that is my story. 

[Jesus] said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.”  (Mark 10:14)

Mercy

Today I experienced the tender loving mercy of my Heavenly Father.  I just heard the song “Great is Thy Faithfulness” and the line “morning by morning, new mercies I see” is certainly true in my life today.  I awoke this morning with a heavy heart.  Our very old dog had been missing for 36 hours and I feared the worst.  In my short devotional time before my work day began, I felt drawn to Isaiah 40:28-31…ecspecially the words “His understanding no one can fathom”.  As I began work, a couple of random emails connected me with the former co-worker who had arranged the adoption of our dog.  On the phone I shared with her the sadness of our dog’s disappearance.  She gave me perspective and words of comfort.  Within 2 hours we had found and buried our Daisy.  As soon as the grief subsided a little, I was quickly reminded of my friend’s words.  Those words directed my attention away from the sadness of Daisy’s death to the happiness of Daisy’s life.  It was not random that someone outside of my grief, to whom I hadn’t spoken for several month, would share just the right words at just the right time to bring great comfort to my soul.  In fact, as I write this, a voice on the radio is sharing the same scripture I read this morning…confirming that none of this was random. 

How can it be that the Great Creator would care about something so small as this little grief in my life?  I am absolutely amazed at His tender mercy.  I write this today as a THANKSGIVING!

To conclude, now the song is playing… “He knows my name, He knows my every thought, He sees each tear that falls and He hears me when I call”.  I truly believe that today.  Isn’t that amazing grace?

Great Expectations? Disappointed?

As I’m reading this Lent season, I’m reminded that Jesus is not always what we expect.  Eventually, most of us (if not all of us, eventually) run into the spiritual stumbling block of being disappointed with God.  I just read a great article entitled ”Disappointment with God” by Philip Yancey.  It helps put it in perspective.  Check it out:   http://www.csec.org/csec/sermon/yancey_3302.htm

Afraid to put God first?

Sometimes, I think, we are afraid to allow God to be FIRST in our lives because we are afraid of the changes we might experience.  One of the things we can be afraid of  is that we might lose our “true” selves – or that we’ll have to become something that we don’t want to be.  Last week, I read this interesting perspective in Phillip Yancey’s book  ”Reaching for the Invisible God” (pg 163).

I believe God has a similar goal for all of us, that we become more ourselves by realizing the ‘selves’ God originally intended for us.  The Rabbi Zusya concluded, ‘In the world to come I shall not be asked: ‘Why were you not Moses?’  I shall be asked:  ‘Why were not Zusya?”  Quietly, persistently, the Spirit coaxes me to be neither Moses nor Zusya, but Philip Yancey, a flawed personality in whom God himself has chosen to dwell.  With infinite resources, God can assist every willing person on earth in that custom process.  It begins with trust in God’s best for me, a confidence that God will liberate my true self, not bind it.”

Do we trust God to be first?  Do we trust Him to work out the best for us?  It’s an exciting – and, yes, liberating – way to live!