Selah. . .

. . .to rest, to contemplate
Let's consider what we've just read or heard and/or what we're about to read or hear.

We often sing a song or enjoy listening to our favorite composition, delighting in the manner in which a composer can arrange the notes in such a melodic fashion. How interesting it is that we may also parallel our life by the way our daily activities have been carefully choreographed.

An interesting (but hugely significant) part of the composition, whether it be life or well written music, is the 'rests'. Usually, if I am having a difficult time grasping a piece of music correctly the problem will almost always stem from the rest area. If you don't hold the rest long enough or don't come to it at the correctly appointed time it will throw off the entirety of the song. We tend to view a piece of music as seeing only the notes and not giving thought to the 'rests' or at least giving them less respect than the notes. It is the 'rests' that give meaning to the song. It allows us time to contemplate what we have just sung and help to prepare us for what is to come.

I am more comfortable as, I am sure many of you reading this are, with busyness and not resting. A dear preacher friend of mine once said to me, "You must be running on pure adrenaline." We often do this when going through a long trial that requires more physical and emotional strength that we thought possible. I remember thinking, to his remark, that it would get me through right then. I knew from experience that I would not be able to continue on forever this way and so was always being aware of the crash to come.

Rest is not something that has been afforded to me in life in great quantities. Yet I know it to be very necessary. In the not-to-distant past I was afforded a few months rest though and this allowed me to grasp a re-directing of my life.

"Be still, and know that I am God." Psalm 46:10 We say we know He is God but our very life style indicates we are not willing to 'be still' and realize that He can empower us through our stillness; our rest. Through the rest we are given time to truly accept God as our refuge; our hiding place and be enabled with a new strength and power to go into the next phrase of our song, the life God has intended for us.

I would suggest that perhaps the masterpiece is designed around the rests rather than around the notes. Rests are for assurance in times of trouble and will strengthen us as it does the song.

The Master composes with notes and just as importantly composes with rests. Let us see the whole of the masterpiece as the Master intended, and be truly delighted in it.

"And He hath put a new song in my mouth. . ." Psalm 40:3a

Fine Tuning Me

My husband had several quitars that he played. Each was different and they would all have a special purpose. As with all stringed instruments time and performance would take its toll on the strings and they would have to be replaced. Sometimes one would break or simply wear out. Not just any string would do. What was best for the specific guitar is what would be purchased and the master would proceed to 'string' the instrument and fine tune it.

Often there is a fine line drawn as to whether the string is to tight or --- just right. I have on occasion witnessed one breaking while being tightened. This never seemed to disturb my husband but rather with quiet patience he would go over it again until the instrument would almost sing on cue.

During his brief stay at home while being ill he became concerned because one of the guitars had a broken string and he was never able to remedy it. The master had plcaed his instrument aside for the last time and thus it remains out of tune to this day.

We are instruments in the Master's hand and I become increasingly aware that He is fine tuning me. He must stretch the cords tightly for me to be able to perform on His command.

Paul address this issue in Phil. 4:11 when he stated, "Not that I speak in respect of want; for I learned, in whatsoever state that I am, therewith to be content".

I would not have chosen this journey of life that I've been on. I would rather the Lord had not chosen it either, but He did. He has proven Himself to be trustworthy in my life every time He picks me (His instrument) up. I am learning to be stretched, fine tuned and contented.

The Sky Writer May Be Just For You

I saw something today that prompted my mind back to several months ago. My youngest two children and I were traveling down the highway toward Kissimmee, FL. There had been talking and singing amongst us and then it eventually trailed off and I guess we were all in our 'own world'. I sensed that my daughter in the back seat seemed to be unusally quiet. When I looked in my rear view mirror I could see that see was crying. When I asked what was wrong she just began to sob. Her brother was sitting in the front seat with me and he grew very concerned about her. This was such a deep sob that eventually I pulled off the road in an effort for us to gain control of the situation. When she finally settled enough to be able to talk with me this is what she said, "Mama, I just feel so alone and sometimes very afraid because daddy isn't here for me anymore. "Daddy" had gone home to be with the Lord about 5 1/2 years prior to this. My son had remained quiet all during the time we were talking and then suddenly explained, "Heather, it's okay. It's really okay." This was an unusual statement coming from a little guy who is still moved to tears easily due to the loss of his father. He went on further to say, "Look, up in the sky. It's really okay, Heather and that is just for you." We couldn't see everything my son was viewing so we got out of the vehicle and looked toward what was mostly a vibrant, clear, blue sky. There was a sky writer in the air and he had just finished these words, "God loves you." He then began to draw a smiley face. My daughter just laughed and stated this had to be heaven sent and just for her because the sky writer would had to have been writing it before she actually broke down.

Love is not just a whim but a choice - a decision. I'm so thrilled God has chosen to love me and that His son chose to remain on the cross just for me. Oh, the unspeakable love God has for us. He is always there even before we realize we need Him. In all the love God has for me one thing I do understand is that He loves the little children. They are at the heart of who God really is. He takes time for the children. He even took the time to place a sky writer in the air for one. Was I surprised to see the words in the air? Absolutely not. Rather, I was amused of the chosen way that God orchestrated it. This is a day we still speak of and I presume always will.

Need encouragement that can only come from a loving Lord? Look to the skies.

Fog is Good

With coffee cup in hand I headed to the patio this a.m. to realize that the fog had set in. For a brief time it was even difficult to see the edge of the pond behind us. Fog has a way of silencing the world as we know it. It has a way of shutting out all that looms beyond it and causes our focus to be on the immediate. It is during these times that Psalm 46:10 jumps off the page and resounds with clarity, "Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth."

"Be still" is difficult at best because our world seems to demand the chaos and the frustration that does not co-habit with stillness. As the fog began to diminish this morning I could see spider webs amongst the tops of the foilage that spring forth from the pond. One would almost have missed them if it were not for the breeze that so gently tossed them around. The beauty of the intricate design was worth the walk for a closer view. I am amazed at the very fine art that comes only from the hand of God. This art seems to diminish however when the fog begins to lift. As our horizons are broadened as the fog moves out we tend to look far beyond and miss the beauty of the immediate.

Perhaps the fog in our life is worth the sitting back and being quiet in order for us to view the immediate God has for us. What a craftsman He is. Shhh! lest we miss it.

Where Were You?

On ocassion you are challenged to remember where you were on a particular date. It is usually referring to a time in history and usually to an event that probably rocked us to our very foundations of who we are. Today's date, August 26th prompts me to remember where I was on August 26th, 1956. Where were you? Do you remember? Were you even walking planet earth at that time? "What was so significant on that date?" you ask.

Momentarily lets travel back even further. The year was 1809 Only if you are a history buff will you probably remember that it was the year that Napoleon trekked across Austria. The world was so focused on this man that they probably failed to notice that it also was the year that Edgar Allen Poe, Charles Darwin, and even Abraham Lincoln came into the world. People aren't noticing the "nobodies". And yet they have marked the genesis of an era. Not a one of us hasn't been touched by these individuals; by these "nobodies". Nobody noticed their arrival.

Sunday was the day; not Thursday when August 26 came into view in the year 1956. I remember where I was. I was in central Indiana amongst a group of about 1000 people. The weather was warm as it was today but much more pleasant because I am residing in Florida now and was residing in Dublin, Indiana at the time. Little did I know as I awoke on that day that my life was about to change forever. I was about to embark on a new relationship that I had only heard for a couple of weeks might be possible.

My family had recently moved to the area and at the prompting of a gentleman that my father was working with we began to attend a church in Connersville, Ind. This was something we had never done as a family We were charting new territory. On the date in question though I met the Lord Jesus Christ and came face to face as it were with new challenges and opportunities for the rest of my life. This has been a journey of journeys that the Lord and I have traveled together. I would like to say that I have always remained faithful during this journey but that would not be truth. I would like to say that I have always trusted my Father in all things. That also would not be truth. I would like to say as the Psalmist said (100:2) that I have always served the Lord with gladness and come before his presence with singing. That also would not be truth. But, it has not been because He was not watching over me, nor walking with me, nor shepherding me. It was because for a space in time I chose to not focus on Him alone. But I am glad He called me to love Him. I'm glad He called me to service and I am glad He called me to obedience. I'm thrilled that God called me, a "nobody" to love, serve, and obey.

As Saul hit a new depression in his life he said to his servants in I Sam. 16:17, "Provide for me now a man who can play well, and bring him to me." My one desire in life is that God will be able to say of me one day that I have played well.

Where were you when God called?

Will You Clap

Early in 2002 I had the privilege of being at a function where the pastor asked a young boy if he would sing for him. The youngster didn't queston whether or not he would sing but rather, "Will you clap for me when I'm finished?" As I stood there watching inner action between two different generations admiring each other for different reasons I couldn't help but wonder if that was the real question. Perhaps the real question would be more aptly put, "Would you clap for me?" Interpretation being, would you clap for me, PERIOD. In other words, can I count on you to clap for me whether I finish, whether or not I do a "good" job, or whether I just simply "blow it"? Can I count on you? If adults would be as honest as children we would say we ask those questions also. We really need to know if someone (preferably someone whom we love) will clap for us. We need to be loved and to love and we need to accept and to know that we are accepted.

That same week I had stood by the hospital bed of my mother. I had watched over the past years the physical struggles that she had and even found it difficult at times to not pray that God would take her home understanding that she would at last be pain free. I didn't pray that and God didn't choose to take her home at that point but we had many conversations concerning that issue. As I left the hospital room that day I watched her continue to struggle with a troubled mind and I promised her that I would continue to walk the rest of this long journey with her. I did and her journey here is completed.

I remember a young Christian mother calling me, concerned that she was losing an unborn child and her mind was not yet at peace with it. I assured her that because she was looking for a discerning heart that God would grant it when she needed it and the confirmation would be "peace". I reminded her that I stood with her in prayer and would continue to do so as mind, spirit, and body continue the healing process.

Looking back to the account of our lovely Lord walking the hill to Golgotha I realize He walked alone. There was a throng of people but still - He walked alone. There was the presence of the Heavenly Father but still - He walked alone. There was no applause. Even the sky grew darker. He did finish though. He is Christ. He deserves our applause and I believe the greatest applause is total surrender of our life to Him and His work. Through this total surrender we will be able to clap for that one who needs us regardless of where they are with their life. Oh, we may not agree with them in ever jot and title but still we can clap because we can acknowledge they are someone special that God made and perhaps it will be our encouraging and our applause that will ultimately help them to cross the finish line or if in fact they don't cross we will be able to say we helpd them run the race.

The applause from Heaven can be heard to encouage us on, if we but listen quietly. Other need our applause. Let's be faithful to not fail them but to lift their hands toward Heaven and bring them an applause that would lighten the load as they run the race. Perhaps, just perhaps they will get a glimpse of Jesus.

Psalm 42:1

As the deer panteth after the water brook, so panteth my soul after thee,

O God.

Embarrassment or Funnyment

Eleven years of our marriage had brought four sons; mounds of jeans, T-shirts, and 'tennies'; and just enough time for communication skills to fray around the edges.

My husband pastored a thriving church in central Indiana, and I managed a thriving family in the same geographic location. Dad was busy. The four boys were busy doing what boys do best; keeping Mom busy.

Approximately 12 noon I could hear through my open windows Mr. Beasley mowing his yard. Dad arrived with the announcement; "We're having missionaries in for dinner this evening. Can you be ready?" He said it like I had options, and I knew I didn't. I remember hearing my angry words echo; "It's not good enough that I prepare meals, do laundry, take care of the boys; even take them to the library weekly to ensure that they maintain their reading schedule, and. . .these Tupperware bowls on the floor; I even let the baby play with the Tupperware bowls on the kitchen floor!" I'm sure he wondered what that had to do with anything.

After a quick assessment of the situation, one-by-one I picked up my Tupperware bowls and threw them at my husband, who was trying desperately to dodge them. They sailed through a screen of an open window and hit Mr. Beasley. You can imagine the look on his face while he rubbed his twice hit head and looked at the bowls lying at his feet.

All significant males in my life decided to step aside.

I had to evaluate the predicament of how to get the bowls back inside the house. I explained to my seven year old that he could play WHEN he was through picking up all the bowls. I always felt that Mr. Beasley knew who had thrown the bowls. But he sure didn't hear it from me.

It's interesting to me that some of life's most embarrassing moments often are the genesis to our funniest memories; to the point of telling the story to another.