He Keeps Giving....

18. fresh strawberries

19. sound of 4-year olds laughing

20. a back rub from hubby

Wait, Watch, Expectantly

cocoon in Japanese Maple - 4/6/08

There's more to come: We continue to shout our praise even when we're hemmed in with troubles, because we know how troubles can develop passionate patience in us, and how that patience in turn forges the tempered steel of virtue, keeping us alert for whatever God will do next. In alert expectancy such as this, we're never left feeling shortchanged. Quite the contrary—we can't round up enough containers to hold everything God generously pours into our lives through the Holy Spirit!
Romans 5:3-4 (The Message)

I discovered a cocoon in a Japanese maple yesterday. This silken construction has always fascinated me. I decided to carefully break the branch that the cocoon was clinging to and take it inside. I then found a container to place it on so I could observe it up close. I wait, I watch, expectantly.

When I first laid eyes on the cocoon, memories of times almost forgotten flooded my mind. I was transported back in time to a spring afternoon spent at my Mema and Papa Tanner's when I was nine years old. A carefree warm day spent outdoors with a few cousins…what pleasure.

I don't remember exactly where I found it. It wasn't anything special to look upon, but I knew from pictures in books and lessons from Moma that within that delicate wrap was an amazing butterfly. I carefully held it in my hand for some time then later proudly displayed it on my Mema's countertop in a Mason jar, after getting someone to punch air holes in the metal lid. There it sat for what seemed like an eternity...in reality just a few hours.

I imagined that I saw the cocoon move, perhaps it actually did. I impulsively twisted the lid off the jar and reached inside to hold the cocoon. Then I saw a small tear, probably damage I had done by holding it too much, not letting it rest. I waited, watched, expectantly.

Then it happened. The butterfly began to thrash about to force his body through that small slit. Without hesitation, I decided to gently cut the cocoon with a pair of manicure scissors and help release him. Indeed I released the butterfly, but its body was inflated and it had miniature, withered, useless wings. Although I wanted that butterfly to take flight it didn't happen. It only crawled.

In my impatience and ignorance I deprived the butterfly of the struggle. The struggle would have forced the fluid from the body into its wings so that it would be ready for flight once it achieved its freedom from the cocoon.

Am I still like that nine-year old? Impatient, wanting, annoyed, intolerant of God's timing? Father, forgive me. Strengthen me as I wait, watch, expectantly for You.

Psalm 27:14 (NIV) says Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord. Psalm 27:13-14 (The Message) says I'm sure now I'll see God's goodness in the exuberant earth. Stay with God! Take heart. Don't quit. I'll say it again: Stay with God.

Purify Me

Drinking from a Travelers Palm in Trinidad, West Indies - 2006

Since we have these promises, dear friends,

let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.

2 Corinthians 7:1

I remember seeing the Travelers Palm in Trinidad. The name for this plant derives from the fact that a stem can be cut and the water inside can be drunk, hence good for thirsty travelers who need refreshment.

There is nothing better than a cold drink of water to quench my thirst. I prefer drinking bottled water to tap water and although I am probably deceiving myself, it seems like it just has to purer and cleaner than regular tap water.

My oldest son says we should purchase a water purifier. That way, he reasons, we will save on the cost of purchasing bottled water and at the same time cut down on environmental waste. I didn't raise any dummies, so I am considering his suggestion.

I have decided to read up on water purifiers. They say that even if your water tastes bad, it can be changed into great tasting water after going through the water purifier. The purifier removes harmful minerals and chemicals and provides water in its purest form.

The scripture from 2 Corinthians 7:1 calls us to strip away everything in our lives that contaminates our body and spirit so we can honor and glorify God.

What are the impurities that tend to contaminate your life? I confess I have many. One of them is the toxic contaminate of insecurity that tends to cloud my life and float to the top unless I seek God daily. If I neglect time in His Word I tend to rely on my feelings, leaving me parched and dehydrated. When I choose to seek the pure truth in His Word, I am reminded that He is the only one that can satisfy and quench my thirst. In John 4:13-14 Jesus said, Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life." John 7:38 says, "Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him."

James 1:7 says, every good and perfect gift is from above.

More gifts to add to the list....

14. tears and hugs of reconciliation

15. a lunch of leftovers, God's provision

16. affirming words from a friend to me

17. ministering to a precious, hurting soul

Seek His Face

more gifts ...

10. fluffy, warm towels straight out of the dryer

11. laughter

12. a visit from a friend on a rainy day

13. watching geese swim in the pond

Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name;

make known among the nations what he has done.

Sing to him, sing praise to him;

tell of all his wonderful acts.

Glory in his holy name;

let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice.
Look to the LORD and his strength;

seek his face always.

Psalm 105:1-4

A friend of mine sent this picture of Jesus today. Look at the lines the artist used to draw this picture. There are scenes from Christ's life. Isn't this amazing?
What an awesome reminder that I must make an effort to look upon His face daily through praise, giving thanks to Him, rejoicing because He is who He says He is, and I am His child.

Clothed With Joy

butterfly resting on blueberry bush - March 2008

The One Thousand Gifts list continues...

6. the beauty of a butterfly resting on blueberry bush

7. tassles draping from a river birch

8. a sit-down homemade meal with four teenagers and a husband

9. a phone call from a son

You removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, that my heart may sing your praises and not be silent. LORD my God, I will praise you forever. Psalm 30:11

With continual battles of sickness, loneliness, fear, anxiety, and grief raging around me and touching those I deeply care about, and yet another call last night causing me to drop to me knees in prayer, I am reminded once again of how precious and fragile life is.

The only constant, the only security I have is that which is found in Jesus. I am reminded nothing stays the same in this world. Just as the seasons change, so do circumstances. Spending time outdoors this morning, absorbing the freshness and newness of spring, once dormant winter life, God spoke to me and said,

See how I clothe the earth with joy? I will clothe you with joy as you praise me.

As I looked to the Word this morning, I read Psalm 30 and found it teaching me again that every area of my life is completely reliant upon my relationship with my Savior. God's grace, mercy, and love are always present, never changing, and giving me reason to be joyful. How can I be silent about the hope I have?

Rejoice Always

Rejoice always,

Pray without ceasing,

give thanks in all circumstances;

for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

I love this quote by Elisabeth Elliot: Here is my heart, Lord God, thankful for a thousand mercies...Sweep out the discontent. Give me a merry, humble, ever thankful heart that honors You.

I have always been a list-maker. I have an on-going, never-ending list of projects that I hope to accomplish one day, a list for the grocery store, a list for chores for each day of

the week, a list for gifts that need to be purchased for birthdays, new brides, and babies yet to be born. I can be quite neurotic at times about the whole thing.

I recently discovered that I need to start a new list. I realize more each day how little I know about God, how limited my scope is of who God truly is. And sadly, how I fail to thank Him.

So as I take His hand today, walking through the refining fires, through the valley of the shadow of death, in green pastures, beside the still waters, and in the paths of righteousness for His name sake, I choose to open my eyes to recognize His blessings, His gifts. Today I will begin a new list entitled ONE THOUSAND GIFTS. I will journal this list in a simple dollar store spiral notebook and on my blog, as well.

Here are my first offerings:

1. A walk in the cool spring morning

2. Wet leaves and grass from rain last night

3. A peck on the cheek from my son

4. Rolling daughter's hair

5. A phone call from my sweet husband

Ann, is the inspiration for starting my own gift list. For an explanation of reasons for keeping a gift list refer to her writings.

"Gratitude bestows reverence, allowing us to encounter everyday epiphanies, those transcendent moments of awe that change forever how we experience life and the world." - John Milton

Harden Me Against Myself...

He must become greater; I must become less.

John 3:30

In this dog-eat-dog world it seems like everyone strives to make a name for themselves...to be somebody. Our lifestyles are centered on being successful. This verse jumped out at me today and reminded me that I can not measure success as the world measures it. One of my favorite quotes is 'In God's economy, the way up is down.'
We are strengthened when we are weak. Amy Carmichael said it beautifully:

God, harden me against myself, the coward with pathetic voice who craves for ease and rest and joy.