Reconciliation

Whether it is in marriage, or in friendship, there are times when reconciliation is needed.  When we feel wronged, we often place the responsibility to reconcile in the offendor's court.  However, what if this person fails to initiate contact?  He or she may not even be aware of an offense.

How did we contribute to the conflict?  Can we apologize, even though the fault seems greater on their part?  Even after prayer for help, this can require a literal gritting of one's teeth as we approach the other person.  It seems so wrong that we have to initiate when they have been the offender. Yet this is following the way of Christ, and will bring about good things.  Even if the other person responds poorly, we can know that we tried.

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In Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. [II Corinthians 5:19]

Giving Us What We Do Not Have

When we think of being without something, we often think of physical things like money, food, clothing, or even good health.  There's another kind of poverty, though.  We can be without love, patience, gentleness, self-control, and other life-sustaining things.

Just as God can be our provider for the physical things, he can supply us with things like love -- things that we can't find within ourselves.  This doesn't happen overnight.

Does a tree bear fruit in a mere instant?  It takes years of pruning, watering, harsh seasons, gentle seasons, rain, dew and sun before delicious ripe fruit is borne.  Some of the fruits that come from God are:  love, patience, gentleness, self-control, joy, peace, kindness and faithfulness.

We can be tempted to cut down our tree and plant a new one.  Yet the process of growth and maturity will take a set-back as the growth has to begin yet again.  The Master Gardener can bring us out of our poverty as we submit to His growing process.

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"If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." [John 15:5]

The Little Girl

There once was a little girl.  She knew a man who had graduated from Harvard University. He was her grandfather.   People would talk about her grandfather and say, "He is a great man."  The grandfather did not enjoy being with the little girl. When she was near him, he ignored her or was impatient with her, ridiculing her if she made a mistake.

There once was another little girl.  She knew a man named Jesus, who was from Nazareth.  People would talk about Jesus and say, "Can anything good come from Nazareth?"  Jesus enjoyed spending time with the little girl  When she was near him, he would take her onto his lap and talk with her, telling her wonderful stories about God.

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Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."  [Matthew 19:14]

Holding On

We often feel like we are holding on, just trying to get through each day.  Yet, God is the one "who holdeth our soul in life and suffereth not our feet to slip." (Psalm 66:9)   He is holding on to us as we travel through  the fire and water.

"How wonderful he is in his doing toward the children of men...We went through fire and water, but You brought us to a place of abundance." (Ps. 66:5b, 12b0

"They saw that the fire had not harmed their bodies, nor was a hair of their heads singed; their robes were not scorched, and there was no smell of fire on them."   (Daniel 3:27)

"But the sons of Israel walked on dry land through the midst of the sea, and the waters were like a wall to them on their right hand and on their left."  (Exodus 14:29)

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He will not let your foot slip-- he who watches over you will not slumber.                 [Psalm 121:3]

Delighting in the Daily

 The day-to-day of motherhood is so beautifully described in the words below. 

"Love sleeps in my bed. Curiosity eats at my table. Delight runs laps around my back yard. Exhaustion is a faithful friend. But so is grace."

Thanks to my friend who shared it with me, via this link:
http://momastery.com/blog/2013/06/10/for-the-dog-days/

 I am watching my friends move on to be empty nesters.  Exhaustion is a constant companion, but so are the children who's love, curiosity and delight surround me daily.  I rely on God's grace to strengthen me.

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But Jesus called the children to him and said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.  [Luke 18:16]

Every Hour

"I need Thee ev'ry hour,
In joy or pain;
Come quickly and abide,
Or life is vain.

"I need Thee ev'ry hour,
Most Holy one;
O make me Thine indeed,
Thou blessed Son."

Chorus:

"I need Thee,
Oh I need Thee,
Ev'ry hour I need Thee!
Oh bless me now my Saviour,
I come to Thee."

Amen - So be it.  

Every Morning

It's the end of a long, tiring, unsettling day.  I give the day to the Lord; I place the unsettling issues on His shoulders and ask for answers and guidance.  Show me what I need to know, Lord.  Show me what I need to do.  I practice thankfulness; there are SO many reasons to be thankful.

And then, I go to bed early because "His mercies are new every morning" and I know that the sooner I go to bed, the sooner I will receive those new mercies.  

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LORD, be gracious to us; we long for you. Be our strength every morning, our salvation in time of distress.  [Isaiah 33:2]