Open my eyes, Lord!

I am blind as a bat without my contacts or glasses. I am not too far off from the long-standing eye doctor joke, ending with, 

“What chart?”

I’m not sure exactly how long I went thinking the world around me was blurry. Maybe I thought everybody saw the same thing I did. I do remember in the fifth grade, my desk was located in the farthest row possible from the blackboard. (Yes, I know blackboard dates me) I had discovered that if I pulled out on the outer corners of my eyes, that my vision became clearer, long enough for me to read the blackboard. I learned later doing that was actually reshaping the eyes, thus clearing up the vision. It certainly worked, but I looked like an idiot and it tied up my hands. 

My teacher consulted with my mom, and it was off to the optometrist for me. I would soon reappear fitted with those lovely “cat” glasses of the early 70’s. But, it was the trip home with my new glasses that left a lasting impression. I’m sure I resembled the family pet in the front seat as I sat gazing out the window at my new surroundings. For the first time, I was seeing things like birds, high line wires (I knew there were poles, but no wires), individual leaves on trees, house numbers, clouds, airplanes and even faces at a distance …..things I could not see before. I was amazed! I was beholding a whole new world. 

Years ago, a pastor friend of mine, gave me invaluable insight into a “whole new world”. As a spiritual toddler at that time, I was developing a hunger for The Word and wanted to be able to read it and understand it accurately, but some of it was “fuzzy” to me.  He recommended that each time I sat down to read, to first pray using the scripture from Psalm 119:18, 

“Open my eyes that I may behold wonderful things from your law.”

And God honors His Word! The fascination I had experienced as a child beholding my new world with my “new eyes” was a mere flicker in comparison to the unspeakable wonderment I have beheld in the light of God’s Word. And each new year, God continues to reveal new things to me as I pray and seek His Word, beginning always with “Open my eyes, Lord…..” 

If God’s Word seems “fuzzy” to you, I encourage you to pray Psalm 119:18 the next time you sit down to read and see if you do not behold wonderful new things.  No matter where you are spiritually or what stage you are in, God will open your eyes to what may be needed for the moment or perhaps even a new direction He desires for you.  You will stand amazed as you behold a whole new world! 

Divine Appointments

He loves His children so much and gives us each day just what we need for that day. 

One afternoon, a young man came to our home to install a new “high-tech” thermostat. Little did I know, or he, it would turn into one of those precious “God moments”. 

As soon as the contractor entered our home, I felt an instant connection with him, and he confirmed that connection within only a few minutes. He was a brother-in Christ. So we enjoyed our faith discussion on and off as he worked. 

After about an hour, he wrapped things up and prepared to leave, and with a deep sigh he added he still had a long trip ahead of him to another customer. He was tired. I felt I needed to ask if I could pray for him before he left. He eagerly accepted and removed his hat. 

I will admit to you that asking to pray for someone is still a bit difficult for me, and it truly is an act of obedience. However, it does seem the more I do it, the easier it becomes, and the more I also begin to see that it’s not so much about my words, but about God speaking through me if I allow Him. He can’t speak through a closed mouth. 

“In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.” (Romans 8:26-27) 

The words began to flow out of my mouth with ease, and it actually shocked me a little. I continued until I felt it was time to stop. 

“Amen and amen.”  So it is, and so it shall be. 

I looked up and the young man was wiping his face. He went on to share that the prayer confirmed what he felt the Lord was calling him to do. In addition, it gave him a peace and comfort regarding his life right now. He revealed that he had just lost his wife, the mother of their young children, two months ago to an aneurism, and times were very difficult for them. Now the prayer made sense. Once again, I stood in awe of the goodness and faithfulness of God and how He can use someone as flawed as me to bring a word of encouragement to someone in need.

Making yourself available to God can align you with some of the most awesome experiences.  With God, there are always hidden blessings. Just when I had begun to wonder if I was doing anything, or if I was making any difference at all, God assigned an appointment, giving me a booster shot, so to speak. Glory to God!

Give God permission to use you to comfort others and I promise you, He will provide the opportunities. Ask Him for the desires of His heart and He will give you those desires for your heart. And when He brings it, be obedient, and allow the Spirit of God to minister through you, and you will be blessed indeed. 

"Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving; withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds: That I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak." (Col. 4:2-4, KJV)

Stay alert. Keep your eyes open. Watch with eagerness for those opportunities which the Lord brings into your day and often right into your path, even when you least expect it. Fine tune your spirit with prayer and a hunger to fulfill God's will for that day. There is an appointment coming with your name on it.

Lord of Glory, God of all comfort, thank you for Your goodness and lovingkindness. Thank you for the Prince of Peace who guards our hearts and our minds in difficult times. Help us Lord, to receive all that is ours in Christ today, for our specific needs. Use me, Lord, to comfort others as You lead. I give You permission now, in Jesus’ name, Amen and amen.

Blink!

I remember the day I held our firstborn in my arms, and suddenly our lives were changed forever. We weren't really sure we even knew what to do with this new blessing. But like all parents, we learned. In fun, I remember calculating the year of his high school graduation. At that time, 1999 sounded eons away. But then--we blinked--and it was here. We blinked again…and our middle son left in 2002. One more blink…and our daughter left in 2006. 

And as quickly as we became new parents, we became empty-nesters, and suddenly our lives were changed again. And again, we weren't really sure we even knew what to do with this new blessing.

Rags to Riches

The Beverly Hillbillies, a sitcom of the 60s and early 70s, and a family favorite during my childhood days, was a “rags to riches” sort of show of a poor backwoods family who strike it rich when “Pa”, the Clampett family patriarch discovers oil—black gold, Texas tea—while hunting for mealtime provisions. 

Kinfolk of the Clampetts then urged the family to pack up their belongings and move to California, where they could reside in a large mansion in the Beverly Hills district; a dwelling more befitting their newfound wealth.

The show was a comedic combination of poverty and affluence, and the unsophisticated with the refined as the Clampetts maintained their simpleton lifestyle while having access to millions. It made for amusing entertainment.

When Paul wrote to the believers in Ephesus, he sought to encourage them to recognize the spiritual wealth they had “in Christ”. They were spiritually rich beyond measure but had been living as beggars—spiritual paupers—because of their ignorance of all that was available to them in Christ.

We do the same. 

Many believers today live as beggars, spiritual paupers, and victims of their past because of the same reason: they are not aware of the great wealth they have in Christ. They walk around in the old garments of spiritual poverty—content in their old ways.

Paul writes:

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. In love He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved.  In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace which He lavished on us. 

In all wisdom and insight, He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His kind intention, which He purposed in Him with a view to an administration suitable to the fullness of the times, that is, the summing up of all things in Christ, things in the heavens and things on the earth. In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will, to the end that we who were the first to hope in Christ would be to the praise of His glory. In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of His glory. (Eph. 1:3-14 NASB)

God has given everything we need to live the victorious Christian life. He predestined this great mystery before the foundation of the earth and before you were formed in your mother’s womb. From the days of old, everything took place in its proper order so that this mystery might be revealed to us according to the glory of His grace.

The love and kindness of God intended that we have adoption, acceptance, redemption, forgiveness, wisdom, inheritance, the seal of the Holy Spirit, life, grace, and citizenship—in short, every spiritual blessing. We have all the resources needed for living a victorious Christian life.

Father God, help me to fully grasp the truth of Your word in Eph. 1 that I may know and receive every spiritual blessing for me. Open my eyes and my heart to see what I need to lay down in order to fill up with an abundance of Your blessings to live a victorious life in You, that others may know that You are the One True God, in Jesus' name, amen.  

"All our righteous acts are like filthy rags".  Is. 64:6 

Paul's Powerful Prayer

It’s been said, “We live forward but understand backwards.” 

For many of us, that means we can look back over our lives and see all the stupid things we’ve done, knowing there is nothing we can do to change history. 

It also gives you the opportunity to look back and see God’s protection, His providence, and His promises specifically and purposefully woven throughout your life even when you were completely unaware. 

I have assigned labels to the seasons of my life, arranged in decades. It gives me a snapshot of my life and demonstrates the sovereignty of God regardless of the stupid decisions I made. 

The Black Hole

"Solitude has its advantages, but they seldom counterbalance the loss of Christian communion."– Matthew Henry  

It’s been said that when everything seems to be falling apart, that’s often when God is putting things together the way He wants.

I admit I enjoy solitude. I have never been one who struggled with being alone at home. I have always been able to entertain or busy myself and do not “need” to be in a crowd. In fact, I prefer not to be. I have friends and family who are the total opposite.

What I most enjoy is the quality time I can spend with the Lord, especially on those days when I have nothing on the calendar. But this past year I have noticed moments of what seems to be a black hole, an aloneness completely separate from my typical solitude. I’ve summoned the Lord, and I’ve summoned wise counsel and have found that the “black hole” is indeed a part of our life journey, as well as our faith journey.

I admit, however, these times are not enjoyable. In fact, they are excruciating and painful. You feel scared and lonely, isolated, lost and confused, maybe even a little embarrassed to admit you are in such a place.

I’ve been there. No doubt, you have been there too. Maybe you are there now.

So, what do we do if we find ourselves in the black hole?

Don’t panic.

To be honest, I can quickly shift into "brood mode". Impulsivity tends to travel the path of negativity, quickly turning on myself. With time, experience, and maturity, I’ve learned this is what NOT to do…but I confess I can still fall into this one easily, which may closely accompany the introverted personality. 

But the more I walk with God, the more I come to recognize that everything serves a purpose, even the black holes. Nothing is without reason and oftentimes, the black hole is a time of preparation for a new season in our lives.

Consider Joseph

Consider how Joseph must have felt as he sat on the cold floor of that empty well into which his brothers had thrown him before they decided to pull him out and sell him to Midianite merchants. (Gen 37:24, 28) It had to have been excruciating for him, feeling totally dejected and abandoned by those he loved and trusted.

Talk about feeling wounded and frightened, neglected and abandoned, confused and isolated, maybe a little embarrassed, and perhaps even mad at himself for being so arrogant as to share his seemingly haughty dreams with his brothers.

If Joseph could have known the full picture of what lay ahead for him, he would not have believed it as he sat in the cold, damp, darkness. Joseph was stuck in a pit of nothingness, helpless in his situation. All he could do was believe, pray, and wait.

Like Joseph, being in that place of nothingness feels helpless. You begin to question yourself. The enemy creeps in to try to convince you that God has abandoned you and that you are no longer useful to Him. You even have thoughts of selling out to the first itinerant opportunity that comes along.

Like Joseph, we must continue to believe, to pray, and to wait on God and His perfect timing.

The black hole should lead us swiftly to the throne of grace. It is a time of intense spiritual reflection, carefully examining all areas of our lives.

How is my prayer life? Am I spending ample time in the Word? Is there sin in my life that needs to be dealt with? Am I holding onto something that is hindering my prayers? Or could it even possibly be a physical condition that needs medical attention?

I’m continuing to learn that I cannot trust my feelings. This is very difficult for a “feeler” like me. I equate “feeling nothing” with abandonment or disapproval, but the Word of God tells us we are to “walk by faith and not by sight”. (2 Cor. 5:7) Feelings come and go, but God is always with us.

In the black hole, I find it especially difficult to focus on prayer, on reading, or engaging in worship. Pray anyway. Read anyway. Sing anyway. Worship anyway. And sometimes, we just need to be still and listen. If you write, try journaling your experience. I do this often. You’ll smile when you come back to it later.

Consider as well that at times God may need to set us apart for a season, in order to prepare us for something we are yet to know fully. It is a time of refining in which God coordinates His plans and purposes for us as well as those we may influence. (Again, remember the story of Joseph. Read Gen. 37 through Gen. 50) He will reveal them to us as we are able.

We can learn much in the black hole. We, with Paul, can “consider it all joy” while praising God for what He is doing in our lives. (James 1:2) In time, we come to recognize how God in His infinite wisdom knows us better than we know ourselves, for we now understand the necessity of that dark season, as God brings us up out of the black hole to do the work to which He has called us.

 “So let us fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” (2 Cor. 4:18)

"As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you" (Joshua 1:5b).

Blessings in Christ, 

Shari 

Do you see what I see?

Today, they are called “Retro” trees, but in the 60s and early 70s, silver aluminum Christmas trees were quite the rave.  Our family had one that was full and bushy, adorned with dark pink shiny glass ornaments.  My grandparents’ aluminum tree was more slender, but filled with royal blue satin ornaments easily seen from outside passersby through the large livingroom picture window.

Many years ago, when our kids were small, times had gotten tough for several months. The 80s “oil boom” had gone “bust” while businesses and families struggled to make ends meet, including us.  Christmas time was soon approaching, and my stomach began to ache knowing that the Christmas tree would not have as much under it that year. 

Then it hit me….the Christmas tree!  We had always purchased live trees in the past and just did not feel like we could afford one that year. My husband remembered putting away boxes of decorations for his grandmother a few years before, including a box containing their old aluminum tree.  I was excited at the thought of a nostalgic Christmas tree and relieved at not having to purchase one.

The moment arrived as my husband placed the old box in the center of the room, and the kids immediately began to pull the branches out of the crumbling paper sheaths. Enthusiasm soon turned to disappointment as we slowly began to erect what we later called “Charlie Brown’s Aluminum Tree.” The branches looked more like foil rods with a shiny wild frazzle clinging desperately to the ends. We were hoping against hope the ornaments would miraculously fill in the huge gaps. 

As we stood gazing at our Charlie Brown tree, tilting our heads first one way, and then another. And though I tried to hide it, gloom began to overtake me. Then, the words of my four-year-old son shook me from my trance, “If you do this, it looks really bushy!”

I turned to find him standing with his head tilting backward and his eyes squinting nearly shut.  So, I tried it.  He was right!  With the help of the overhead track lighting filtering through the eyelashes, the tree appeared to be gloriously full.  It all depended on how you looked at it!

Oh to have the faith of a child who still lacks the jading of mankind regardng material goods.  So simple. So profound. 

I wish I could say it turned out to be the best Christmas ever that year and that Chuck landed a job that exceeded his previous salary, but I cannot. Looking back however, I can say that it is the Christmas I think of most often.  Not because of the emotional pain or the lack of gifts under the tree, but because of the greater lesson that day from the perspective of a child. 

“Why do You hide Yourself in times of trouble?”(Psalm 10:1, NIV)  I am sure I have posed this question myself a time or two over the years. In fact, after going through trials, we discover that God never hides, but was there all along. He Himself has said, “I will never leave you, nor forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5, ESV).  

When allowed to go through the dark places, we begin to see light we did not know existed.

Painful times can have a particular objective for us in that they bring us to the end of ourselves enabling us to discover the treasure hidden in the darkness. It is there we find we have the ability to see through spiritual eyes to behold what we had missed all along. 

Father, I thank you for the gift of Your Son, that whosoever believes in Him would not perish but have eternal life in Christ Jesus.  Lord, when times are tough and we feel frazzled, help us to direct our thoughts and prayers toward You, rather than trying to fill in the huge gaps in our soul with the shiny trinkets that offer only temporary fulfillment. You have promised to supply all our needs according to Your riches in glory. And thank you Lord, for those moments in our lives that reveal a greater message, and for using the words of a small child to snap me out of my self-centered gloom. In Jesus name, Amen.

Have you ever experienced those moments when light shined through your darkness in a way you'll nver forget?  Share it below in the comment section. I'd love to hear it.

State of the Heart Address: From the Word of God

(Mouse over scripture links for full verse. May not work on mobile devices) 

Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you, today and always. ( John 20:19)

The more things change; the more things stay the same. (Eccl. 3:15) Nothing takes Me by surprise. (Is. 46:10)

I know the times are difficult, and there are times you feel like giving up, but I will show up and take care of you as I promised. (Heb. 13:5) I know what I’m doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for. (Jer. 29:11)

2015 Rose Parade--Blessed Beyond Measure

Taken during the parade. The open book at the front represents the lives of all those affected by organ donation. So many stories. The butterflies represent the number of people who can be helped through ONE donor--only 8 receiving organs, the rest received bone, eyes, skin or other tissue.. The books are individual stories that need to be told for the precious gifts they've given to so many. Consider becoming an organ donor. 

I open with a confession. It has taken me nearly three weeks to write this. I hope I have done so in a way to honor those involved while sharing the joy of this experience. This was a mixed batch of emotions for me and found it difficult to write for a while.  

Wings of Change

 (This began as a letter for our daughter on her high school graduation in 2006)

 ~~♥~~

To our daughter upon her high school graduation:

          Oh my, how history repeats itself!  

          Do you remember “Delvin”, your second grade project of nurturing a caterpillar?

          We called it the Butterfly Wannabe. 

          You watched carefully everyday for small changes taking place in God’s creation that was now under your care. You grew impatient, as the caterpillar seemed oblivious to the orders nature had given him. Eventually, a cocoon formed and at times you even wondered if it had died, as the cocoon appeared motionless and unresponsive.

          Then, after what seemed an eternity, but was only a couple weeks, you awoke one morning to see that while you were sleeping, a beautiful monarch butterfly had finally emerged. 

We shared in your excitement of this “nativity in a jar” and we rejoiced like proud parents, calling family and friends who were aware of your project.  However, the reality now struck. You knew what it was time to do. 

           The final stage of the assignment was to tag and release him from the school parking lot. As you removed the lid from the jar, Delvin seemed to hesitate, as if he was comfortable where he was.  Nevertheless, as the fresh air made its way into his snug surroundings, his wings began to flutter wildly. It just seemed he needed a little help to launch. 

          Tears fell from your eyes as you reached in and lifted him from the jar, releasing him into the wide open space.  But the tears turned to laughter and cheers when you observed the power and strength in his wings as the breeze lifted him higher and higher, until he flew out of sight. 

          We now come to the moment I have dreaded since the day they laid your warm body, wrapped as tightly as a cocoon, in my arms. My dear child, I’m sure what seemed an eternity to you, feels like only a few short weeks for me.  But, as the winds of change stir your soul, may they lift you ever higher into the wide open space of your future.            

          

          The memories of your childhood will always warm your heart, but it will be your vision and dreams that will propel you forward. Let your mind be stayed on Christ, your Way, your Truth, and your Life, and your paths will be straight.  Moreover, know we are proud of the beautiful young woman who emerged before our very eyes.   

     

          May God bless and keep you and may His grace shine upon you as we release you into the plans He has for you, now and forever. 

Love, Mom & Dad

          Dear Lord, How amazing it is to compare our life to the caterpillar that is surrounded by the cocoon and struggles until it emerges a beautiful butterfly. I pray that as we all struggle through life's challenges, that we learn to lean on You and allow the cocoon of Your love to surround us and that the circumstances and trials help mold each of us into the beautiful creature You want us to become. Thank You for all You do. In Jesus' name, Amen.

God won’t give us more than we can handle…really?

No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.

1 Cor. 10:13

Have you ever found yourself stumbling over your search for the “right words” to say to someone after tragedy, loss, or devastating news of any kind?  I know I do, and I’m not sure there truly are the “right words”. However, none of us are comfortable in that awkward silent moment, so we say things like: 

“This too shall pass.” 

Small Beginnings

Did you ever notice God loves to start from scratch? 

Like so many Christian authors never did I intend to write and I certainly never intended to write a book. Therefore, when people ask, “how did you ever start to write a book”, I tell them, “With a letter to my Dad”. It turned out to be the launch pad for my book. 

But I suppose I could trace back even a little further when my high school English teacher ignited that creative gift within me of which I was unaware of its use or purpose. I learned through a creative writing class several ways to express myself through different styles of writing. I thoroughly enjoyed the class, but sadly, did not recognize its significance and failed to follow through upon graduation. I was also spiritually blind at the time. 

However, God opened my eyes and heart in 1991 and for five years, I was completely ‘lost in love’ with my Savior and my God. He created a deep passion within me and a ravenous hunger and thirst for His Word I literally wore the cover off my leather bible. He was gradually restoring a very dry and thirsty soul. Then, in 1993, I wrote a personal letter to my dad on Father’s Day as a special gift using a story I remembered from childhood depicting my tender relationship with him. I paralleled the story to the precious relationship I had with my heavenly Father. I wrote another story for my mother on Mother’s Day a year later. For whatever reason, I then changed course and picked up portrait art for several years. 

But, in 2007, I sensed God urging me to put down my pastels and begin writing again. I truly felt that if I did not write, I would literally explode. Through the leading of the Holy Spirit, the stories began to pour out of me onto my computer keyboard. Sensing also that God did not intend for me to write for an audience of only One, I approached our local newspaper about publishing a weekly Christian column. Readily accepted, it ran for 3 years. A year and a half into publishing the columns, my readers encouraged me to put them into a book. Unfamiliar to publishing, I typed “Christian publisher” into the search bar of my browser, found Tate Publishing in my home state, and the rest, as they say, is history. 

I consider writing as a tool for ministry. I never felt the call to travel abroad to foreign countries to preach the gospel in places without running water or flushing toilets. But just look around. People are walking in darkness all around us; many of them are right here in our communities. Sometimes, even in our churches.

If you are not only a believer, but a true FOLLOWER OF CHRIST, you have a mission to tell others not just how He saved you, but how He leads you every single day. With boldness and passion, step out and share Christ. 

Our world testifies to the power and glory of God. Our lives should testify to the world of the glory and power of God. Find your way to do that, whether in writing, painting, singing, speaking, teaching, giving, feeding, reaching—whatever it is, do it! 

Start today with whatever tools you have. Ask the Lord to lead you, opening doors for you to hone and then utilize your gifts, to the glory and praise of God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ.

A Greater Purpose in Scars

"What happened to Your hands?"

I grew up in a two-story frame home with a wooden staircase comprised of fourteen steps from top to bottom. I counted them with every trip up and down from the time I learned to count, to the day we moved from the house years later. In time, I had mastered the steps by taking two, even three steps at a time. 

The quickest I ever traveled the steps, however, was around the age of four, when a satin Barbie blanket (which I left on step #2) provided an unexpected rapid descent down the stairs…head first. It was then I discovered a loose nail with my forehead on step #8. 

I know…right?  Ouch!