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.

I'm A Nut

Cashew Tree - Trinidad, West Indies, July 2006

Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking,

be put away from you, with all malice:

And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.

Ephesians 4:31-32

My son, Griff loves cashews. After work last night, he stopped by the grocery store to purchase something I needed in order to cook dinner. He came home with my item, minced garlic, and spent his own money on a can of cashews. He must really be fond of them to spend HIS money, huh? He remarked that he didn't know why they were so expensive as he popped the can and munched on a few before hiding the can from other nut lovers.

After nibbling on a few of the pricey nuts myself, I reminded him that we had seen cashew trees when we visited the tropical garden of Bunty & Rory O’Connor in Trinidad in July 2006. We learned that cashews are native to the Americas, but widely cultivated in India and Africa since the 16th century. You never see cashews for sale in the shell because between the outer and inner shells covering the nut is an extremely caustic oil. The outer shell must be roasted or burned off with the oil (the smoke is also an irritant). The kernels are then boiled or roasted again, and a second shell is removed. Hence, the reason for the pricey little nuts.

Now you may be thinking, that's interesting, but why are you writing about cashews today? I tell you the Lord dealt with me last night through a little can of cashews. No kidding! Before Griff brought home the can of cashews I had been having a little pity party and I discovered that I have some hurt within me that I thought I had dealt with years ago. There was a person in my life that I completely respected and loved. This person didn't like me. I was ridiculed by this person. I was ignored by this person. I was deeply hurt by this person no matter how I tried to offer my love and affection. I built up a protective layer when I was around this person. I tried to hide my pain, but I became bitter and angry at this person and the people she showed love to. I desperately wanted her to like me.

When I thought about those cashews and the process they go through before they are of any value, I realized that I am a lot like the cashew nut. Just like the caustic shell surrounding the cashew, I must allow God to reach in and remove the layers of hurt, bitterness, burning away the impurities of my soul. It is not an easy process. Very painful and costly to allow this shell, these layers to be burned away. But if I want God to use me for His glory, I must trust Him. Lord, help me to view my past suffering as preparation for ministry as the apostle Paul did.

Read Philippians 1:12-26

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Philippians%201:12-21&version=31;

Beauty For Ashes...

A flock of Scarlet Ibises landing in the trees in Caroni Marsh, Trinidad.

To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes,the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.

Isaiah 61:3

As long as we are on earth we are subject to pain...it is unavoidable. As agonizing as life can be at times, if we allow God to work, the pain can be a time of growth. The Lord knows all about your broken heart, your hurt, your wounds, your despair and even your mourning. He offers His healing, freedom, deliverance, and joy to everyone.

I read that the Chinese have an interesting symbol for the word crisis; it indicates both danger and opportunity. When the stakes are high and the outcome in doubt, purpose can emerge from pain, like 'beauty from ashes'. New dreams, new relationships, new attitudes about life can open up to you as a result of your experience.

Express your feelings to God. Allow Him to give you 'Beauty instead of ashes… and… praise instead of… despair.'

Crown Of Righteousness

I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course,

I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me

a crown of righteousness,

which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day:

and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

II Timothy 4: 7, 8

Today is March 29, 2008. It is so fitting that I found a newspaper article today from March 29, 1968, exactly 40 years ago, where my mother-in-law Dottie Morgan was crowned Mrs. Augusta. In order to win the crown, she had to compete and prove her worthiness to receive the crown. She did this by excelling in floral design, handicrafts, fashion design, character, poise, and beauty, etc. What an exquisite lady she was!

One of the crowns she will receive now will be a crown of righteousness that has been set aside for her. She has finished the race --- she kept believing. What hope we have because of this promise. One day we, too will receive our crown if we fight the good fight, finish the course, and keep the faith.

I love you, Dawie.

The Shadow Of Death

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil...

Psalm 23

My mother-in-law went home today. She is now resting in the arms of Jesus. What a beautiful, loving, and talented lady she was. She will be terrribly missed, but we know she is finally at peace and free from pain.

In her last days, my daughter touched her face several times and was amazed at the smooth, soft texture of her grandmother's beautiful skin at seventy-four years of age. I told her how her grandmother had avoided the sun, covering her face, or waiting til late in the day to be outside. She definitely prefered the shade. She even planted as many trees as she could to produce lots of shade in her yard.

Shortly after she passed away today, I gazed out the window to see a beautiful image...the shade and shadows of the trees she had planted reflecting in the pond at dusk. It was as if the trees were actually in the water. If I had put my hand in the water could I have touched the trees? Of course not.

As believers in Christ, we won't be touched by death. Our earthly bodies will die, but we will not experience eternal death. Jesus conquered death through the resurrection. The grave has no victory over us and death has no sting (1 Corinthians 15:5). Our last breath on this earth will be followed by our first breath in the presence of the Lord. To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. (2 Corinthians 5:8)

Whoever lives and believes in me will never die. John 11:26