Saturday, February 11, 2017

How We Handle Things

How We Handle Things

I love this picture of my one-year old granddaughter gazing up at the tall character of Wolverine.  She looks unafraid, in spite of his rather scary appearance and long, sharp claws.  Then, just days later, she was in the presence of beautiful, sweet Snow White and she displayed an entirely different response to this gentle lady --

Go figure!
 
    The interesting thing about these expressions (besides that the baby is SO CUTE!), is how they reflect our own responses to life situations.  Often times, when we have to deal with serious difficulties - things that can look big and scary -- we handle them.  We don't let the sharp claws of the situation intimidate us, we just jump right in and stare the thing down.  We might even be surprised at how strong we were and how well God got us through it.
    Then, even a few days later, we might be faced with a simple thing that could be described as "gentle" in comparison - and, we fall apart.  We crawl away crying and end up wondering, "What just happened??"
 
It reminds me of Elijah when he stood on Mount Carmel, facing hundreds of the enemy, and fearlessly taunted them in the name of the Lord.  How he set up an impossible sacrifice and then called upon God, who responded with fire from heaven.  Elijah saw a mighty victory that day (1 Kings 18).  Yet, by that evening, he had run away, sat down under a tree, and prayed to die because he felt so despondent.  We shake our heads in wonder - how could Elijah become so discouraged, so fast?
 
Look at my granddaughter's expression in each picture and you get a clue of how quickly responses and emotions can change.  In that moment when she crawled away crying, her mother gathered her up in her arms and comforted her.  She assured her that she is safe and loved, and her needs would be met.
 
How precious our heavenly Father is to do the same with us.  When Elijah was despondent, God sent an angel with food for him and then blessed him with a good sleep.  He did that twice, because Elijah was exhausted.  The angel said, "Arise and eat, because the journey is too great for you."  Too great for Elijah, but not for God.  God is able and God is love.
 
Thank you God, for gathering us in your loving arms and caring for our every need!



Friday, February 3, 2017

Bobbing at Sea

Bobbing at Sea

My favorite devotional book is "Jesus Calling," by Sarah Young.  As I read the February 1st page, I was nodding my head, "yes, so true!"  It starts with the truth:  "Follow Me one step at a time.  That is all I require of you.  In fact, that is the only way to move through this space/time world."

I wrote in my journal:  "I am touched as I read this precious reminder of God's gracious faithfulness.  I feel like a cork bobbing on the sea.  My life is good - far less complicated than most - and yet - I feel adrift in this moment."

Then, I began pondering my feelings in the face of my "good" life.  The thing is, so many needs of others swirl around me, it gets overwhelming.  The weight of things going on and the needs of others around me can be stifling.  Then I thanked God for His rich blessings toward me and prayed for Him to help me to live in the light of His loving presence - to stop looking around me and instead, look up to Him.

Amazing how a simple prayer and a difference in viewpoint can change the emotions so fully.  When I looked up, He helped me to glimpse the world around me from heaven's view.  Ah!  Now, that is the perspective that I need to keep in front of me.  Putting things into perspective (i.e. from heaven's view) in the era of craziness we live in will help keep us sane.  I felt peace seep into my entire body and a smile slipped across my lips unbidden.  My bobbing cork was stilled by the Master's hand and it feels so good!  I know He is in control of all that is happening around me, and I can rest in His loving grace to handle it all.

I wanted to share these thoughts with you today, because chances are, some of you may be experiencing some of these same feelings.  "Jesus loves me (and you), this I know!"

--Photo:  I snapped this photo of chunks of ice floating in Glacier Bay, Alaska.  They remind me of that cork I spoke of bobbing in the sea.