New

    We finally received our new living-room furniture. Talk to me baby! Paul had shoulder surgery Feb. 18. We needed a new recliner for him to sleep in, since after surgery, he can't lay flat. Our other recliner didn't have any padding left on the foot rest. Just a board with a thin piece of fabric over it. Also, underneath one arm, staples were exposed, yikes! It had served it's purpose and came free with our house. I am not complaining, really.
    We went shopping for a new recliner or double reclining love seat. Paul is having surgery on each shoulder, several months in between, he'll be sleeping in it a while. All of the recliners are right handed, which presents a problem when his right arm is incapacitated by surgery. We found a comfy chair that reclines by the push of a button. With a stick, Paul could use his left hand to operate the button when his right hand was not able to. It had a double recliner couch that matched. I really liked it, but didn't want to spend the money at the time. We ordered the recliner and went on our way, with the knowledge that if the ordered chair was not in by surgery time, we could take the floor model.
    The week before surgery, I called the furniture store. They couldn't deliver till the day after surgery. What? Paul told them to cancel the order. Then they said they could deliver the day of surgery instead. Not optimal, but that's the best they could do. They were also having a Presidents day sale. We decided to get the matching double recliner couch too. I love sales!
    Our neighbor made Paul a custom rod to push the button on his electric recliner using a golf club he had cut the end from and put a rubber stop into the end. However, Paul found the couch to be more suitable then the chair, since the button can't be seen, because of all the padding on his arm to hold it into one place. He had trouble finding the button with the rod. Sarah thinks she has laid claim to the electric recliner. What? I have kicked her out, and I took the TV remote too, ridiculousness. Scooby has a bit of trouble getting into either piece of furniture because they are higher but he likes the couch much better then our old pleather (plastic that looks like leather) couch.
    God caused us to wait for the sale on the couch, but buy it too, so that Paul would have everything he needed. Also, we now each have a recliner to relax in. Family movie night is much more relaxing. Before, God gave us furniture that was used. This time He gave us new. Thank you God for all blessings, for each are needed and appreciated.

Who Am I?

  A few nights ago I had a chance encounter. I was running behind for a meeting, and by the time I arrived it had already started. The room was dimly lit with a few scattered candles and my eyes tried to adjust. As I was scanning the room for an empty seat I felt a tug on my sleeve. I sat down next to her. When she spoke, I almost did a full body shudder as I realized who I was sitting next to.....
   Ten years ago she had entered my world like a whirlwind. Life with her was like riding a gasoline filled roller coaster that had lost its brakes. She was the reason that social workers changed their cell phone numbers and foster parents quit. In our house (and probably a lot of others) she is still the poster child for "what not to do".
   She moved in and unpacked her baggage. Drug abuse and distribution. Alcoholism. Gang and domestic violence. Pregnancies and abortion. Pregnancies and deliveries. Reckless behavior. Suicide attempts. Police involvement. Parole requirements.
   Because of her... I literally chased a grown man out of my house at 4 A.M. He jumped off of the roof and over a fence to get away. Because of her... My van was stolen by her drunk friends and wrecked. Because of her... Police were dispatched to my home at 2 A.M. when one of her "associates" burst into my basement and put a gun to her head. Because of her... Over $2000 went missing out of my bank account in one night.
I could go on and on....
   I sat politely and listened as she spoke to the group. She was just four days out of prison (what did she do now?). She had nowhere to go (that's what you get). She lost custody of her son (he deserves better). She wanted to die (can't believe she is still alive). She needs to change her life (heard it all before). She thinks that God must have a purpose for her life (   o_O      ). She wants to go to church with me tomorrow (gulp). Does she have to dress up??? Because she only has a pair of jeans and a couple of tops. She doesn't even have a coat.

Deep breath.....

   Who am I to decide if she is sincere or if this is just one more failed attempt to change? Can I see how God is moving on her heart??? Who am I??? I am a human. Just like her. I am a mom. Just like her. I am seeking answers. Just like her. I am struggling financially. Just like her. At times I feel alone. Just like her. I am one poor choice away from wrecking my world. Just like her. I am passionately loved by God. Just like her.
   No. I can't fix her. No. I can't force her to see or do things my way. No. I don't know how God is going to rescue her. No. I can't offer her a place to stay. No. I don't have any money to give to her. Yes. I can give her a ride. Yes I can sit with her at church. Yes. I can greet her with a smile and a hug. Yes. I can open my closet and give her some of my clothing. NO STIPULATIONS - Not because she earned it or deserves it.

Who am I??? ...... I am the embodied heartbeat of God.

Lent. Blessed Lent.


When I was growing up, I found the teaching on fasting insufficient and contradictory. It was obvious we are meant to fast, but for how long and how much? What is sincere repentance and what is showing off? I would get so nervous trying not to lie about what I was doing while at the same time keeping my fast secret. It meant I couldn't get out of my worries enough to listen for God, which was supposed to be the point. 
Now I have Lent. The rules are clear, and I know what to do. It isn't easy, but I grow every year. Sometimes making mistakes has taught me more than getting every day right. I'm enjoying the Paczki just like everyone else, but my heart is ready for the better treat. Come quickly, Lent. Bring me closer to the Lord.

Praise Him!



Praise God in the morning
When the sun shines on your face
Praise God in the afternoon
In your energy and grace
Praise God in the evening
When your work gives way to rest
Praise God in the darkness
Giving cares to Him is best
Praise God in your childhood
Praise God as you grow
Praise God when you falter
Praise God when you slow
As you travel on Life’s pathway
And its end is now in sight
Praise God! Soon you’ll see Him,
And The End is filled with Light!

That Guy.

     I saw him on the end of the row across the aisle from me. The sermon was excellent but this man kept me me distracted. There was something in his death grip on his chair, the keys he alternately jangled and grabbed, the hat he wrung in his hands. There was a familiarity, like of a story I had heard. It seemed he was having a moment. Then I heard the Voice. The one that is so familiar to me that I snap my head up and listen with every fiber. The One Voice said, "Go, and pray for that man."

     I attend a church that stuff like this happens often. But, you know, it never really seems to happen too much to me. The battle began. A long drawn out two syllabled "Go-od, (you know like a teen says, Mo-om) I do not know that guy. I'm a girl. They encourage us to pray for people in our own gender. I don't wanna. Go-od. Really?"  "Yes. Go, and pray for that man, take your friend, Kevin (who was sitting next to me)." And so it went for the rest of the sermon. I felt like that famous friend of Ferris Beuller. "I'll go. I'll go. I'll go. I'll go." The battle raged on until the prayer portion of the evening came. It was make or break time.

     I told my husband, Pete, to get the kids, I grabbed poor Kevin and ran to that guy. "Hi, I'm Karen, God really wants me to pray for you if that is ok with you. Is there anything I can pray for you right now?" His next words took my breath away and made Kevin's eye's fly open. "I need strength on my journey. I feel like God has always been with me, but I am deciding between Christianity and Islam. My friend brought me last week and this is my second time." Inwardly I begged, "GOD! Give me words!" I prayed a simple prayer for strength and guidance and afterwards I answered his questions. He said he still wasn't ready to commit, but that he was truly considering what I said. I gave him my information and invited him to small group.

     Then I remembered the story. My grandfather whom I affectionately called, "Pappy," had sat in a pew wringing his hands and fighting with Jesus. The love of his wife compelled him to come for many years to the church and the love of God finally compelled him out of his pew, down the aisle, and into the arms of Jesus. The nudges we feel from God seem hard to validate in the moment, but every time I have followed them, it was just the right thing to do.
    

The Flock

I was reading and reflecting and this thought came through like a wave.  Hitting me hard and taking my breath back.  You see, in life their are these vultures that circle overhead.  They want to pick and nip, and mock and mimic.  Their whole life is spent on hovering around those they wish to tear apart and devour.
Though we have decided, resolved and planted our feet firm.  Firm in the fight for truth and love.  Firm in the spreading of grace that comes when the vultures leave.  They still circle above.

Now, I have to also make a choice.  To stand firm.  To protect.  To let the love pour out after it has overflowed.  To create an environment where my little flock can grow and stretch.  Where we can disciple and build trust.  Trust in our great heavenly father.  Who oversees all things and speaks us into our very existence.

My focus Lord, shall be on my flock. Not on the vultures in my head. God, help me to pour out, and break the chain of pride that wells up and holds tight.  Use me, oh Lord, to lead to you.  Your compassion and salvation will set us free.  Free to fly above the vultures that be.

First Love

The first man I fell in love with has now been my husband for 12 1/2 years. We met at a ballroom dancing class seventeen years ago, and the teachers at school talked about how I was "glowing" in those early days of our relationship. Similarly, people often seem to be glowing after accepting Christ as their personal Savior. My daughter became a Christian in the fall of 2012, and ever since then she has frequently been talking to her younger brother, Ian, about his need for a Savior. Although I applauded her concern for the salvation of others, he was just too young at the time to comprehend the gospel. If I asked him if he was a sinner, he always told me that he had never sinned. On January 20 Ian came up to me and announced that he was going to pray and ask God to wipe his heart clean. This time when I asked him if he had ever sinned, he was able to list some of his transgressions. He prayed and asked God to "wipe his heart clean and come into his body." After Ian prayed, he told me that he was so happy that he would be in Heaven with God, Mommy, and Nadia some day, and he was also glad that he would never meet Goliath. Evidently Goliath is the biggest "bad guy" in his four-year-old world. Although he seemed to be very sincere and seemed to comprehend what Christ did on his behalf, I had some doubts as to whether he truly was mature enough to take this step. Those fears have all been alleviated because he certainly has had that first love "glow." That first day he ran around the house and exclaimed to his father and sister that he was a Christian. Almost every day since then he has talked about his decision. What a delight it is to be around a new Christian! I never want the Lord to say that I lost my first love as was said of the church of Ephesus in Revelation 2. We love because He first loved us. What a Savior!

Out Of The Blue

...that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, and attaining to all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the knowledge of the mystery of God... (Colossians 2:2)


I have found myself to be a bit on the impulsive side at times.  Some of those impulses have resulted in costly lessons learned, but at other times, priceless moments that I wouldn't trade for anything!  The other night I was browsing for creative decorating ideas for Longing For Eden's upcoming CD release, and I ran across a post from a woman who is planning to attend the party. I have never met her, but I did know that she has been walking through some very dark times lately.  She had been on my heart for the past few days, so I quickly clicked on her name and sent a friend request.  I was surprised to see that she accepted right away, so I sent her a private message to encourage her and to let her know that she was on my heart.  We ended up chatting for nearly an hour, and soon after saying good night to each other, she posted that just when she needed to know that someone cared about her, God answered her cry by using a perfect stranger.  When I acted on my "impulse" to send her a friend request, little did I know that her heart was crying out for love and understanding at that very moment, and that I might be used to help bear her burden and to encourage her.  God is so amazing!  

All the Pieces of the Puzzle

    This year has been especially cold. My husband has suffered multiple injuries and it's very difficult for him to deal with the pain this cold weather brings to his previous injuries. Also, the public school system here in West Virginia, is not a good fit for our daughter Sarah. I have been praying about what to do, for over a year. Then, as if the last piece of the puzzle had been put into place, we got our answers.
    We have been longing to go back to Florida, since we left. My husband was looking online, at  homes and found an amazing deal on airfare. I was on the phone with my mom, at that moment. Mom said she would come to stay with Sarah, so that she could go to school, while we flew to FL to check out homes. It was a round trip with only two full days in Florida.
    Less then a week before our flight, I crashed the car....again. I hit a patch of ice & lost control. I was going slowly and being cautious this time. Once again, I was unharmed. I even drove home. That same night, just after we had packaged up fifty pounds of hamburger, our less then six months old freezer, inexplicably quit. I also, had just gotten an ear, nose, & sinus problem. It wasn't a good night for me. However, since it was freezing outside, we boxed up the freezer food & put it on the porch. The next day, an insurance adjuster assessed the damage and gave us a check. Paul purchased a chest freezer for our food and returned before the adjuster was finished. Our auto-body friend also assessed the damage, and figured it would cost less then the check we were given.
    I called my doctor and my nutritionist about my health issues. Both were unavailable. As a last resort I called my herbalist friend. She had just the thing for me. However, she lives in a holler, that was pure ice. She couldn't get out and had been eating her emergency food. Paul had purchased way more food then we could possibly eat, the day before. It occurred to me that this extra food was for my friend. So, we trekked to her and exchanged items. My health issues went away quickly.
    The first day of house hunting, was hopeless. Then our friend took us to a Realtor from her church. We drove by a home and spoke to the owners. Made an appointment and saw the home. It was the one for us. An amount for an offer, clicked into my head. We made the offer, they wanted more, but we stood firm. They accepted the offer. Also, just before we had left there was a storm coming. We missed it. As we returned, a storm was coming. We missed it too, and we were able to get groceries on the way home. Not to mention, Florida offers online schooling, free of charge.
    Who has an accident they are not harmed in, that pays for the car to be fixed, a freezer and their trip. Is able to help a friend using things they already had more of then they could use, is healed by herbs quickly, their mom is free to watch their child, and the dog too, buys a home in two days, travels safely while missing two major storms, is given the answer and resources of how to educate their child, AND is given the ability to live in their two favorite place at different times of the year? Only those that God is caring for completely. As the storms of life rage wildly out of our control, God is putting all the pieces of the puzzle neatly into place. Thank you for your abundant blessings God!
    Proverbs 16:9 A man's heart plans his way, but the LORD directs his steps.

Hello, my name is......

 

This past week I went to my first NA (Narcotics Anonymous) meeting. I went to be a support to someone who didn't want to go alone. I personally have never experienced the battle of addiction, and I didn't know what to expect. We slipped in quietly and sat at the back of the room....and listened.
   There were maybe around a dozen people there. Male. Female. Teenagers. Twenties. Thirties. And beyond. Several people took turns reading, and then the floor was opened for sharing. Each person who shared introduced him/herself by stating "My name is ________, and I am an addict".
   They spoke quite frankly of how they were managing and coping with their struggle of addiction. They were open about their shortcomings, their thought processes, their failures, their determination, and their realization that they need a "higher power" to help them make changes in order to live a different life, . When they were finished sharing, the entire group verbally said "thank you for sharing" and "keep coming back".  At the end of the meeting, everyone went to the front of the room and stood in a circle with arms wrapped around each other as one person quoted a creed straight from the NA book.
   There was no judgement or negative statements. Instead there were words of encouragement. There was no talking about each other after the meeting was over. Instead there were exchanges of hugs and phone numbers. There was no giving of opinions of how that person should have handled it. Instead there was the recognition that any one of them could very easily slip back into a world of toxic destruction.
   I think that it could be beneficial for Christians to take a lesson from NA. We should recognize that none of us are untouchable. None of us are exempt from struggle.   After all every one of us at one time could have introduced ourselves by saying "My name is _________, and I am a sinner".
   We should be a support to each other. Not judging, but encouraging.  Exchanging hugs and phone numbers. Grabbing onto each other and offering prayers rather than opinions. Reciting from the book that we are using as a guideline to make changes in order to live a different life.


Ephesians 2:8  "For by grace you are saved through faith; and not of yourselves. It is the gift of God".

Taking It Easy


These are St. Martin's Kids. They live in St. Martin DePorres Orphanage in Tanzania. They need some cool stuff, like grain silos so that they can get through the rainy season on a tight budget. They used to need a wall around their property, and that and Martin the Warrior suggested to me that we use the Redwall books as inspiration for a fundraiser. It took a while, partly for me to get up my nerve and partly because projects move slow, but now it is definite, we will have a Redwall-inspired dessert competition building to an even greater Redwall project in the future.
I've been learning how to take a "no." Learning how to trust the Holy Spirit when he says a "yes" is coming. I have stacks of paper that are stapled four times with numbers I've called a minimum of twice, and color coded with information and dates in every kind of ink pen I own. We had to have four bakeries, and today was the day. I am still hoping for more, but God said yes to our event today. I am so glad to give him the praise and glory. 

Love and Pain



Love and Pain go hand in hand
Until we reach the Promised Land
Happiness is Bittersweet
There is sorrow till we meet
Pain is like a little child,
Disobedient and Wild
Mixed with Love, Endurance grows
Patience comes when Kindness shows
Love’s Beginning has no end
Pain transforms into a friend
Now Endurance, holding fast
To Love’s sweet Truth, as One at last
When we cross that distant shore
Love Endures, Forevermore

Advocate.

    I thought I was ready for children when I wanted them. I thought I would just somehow be ready. I'll get it I'm sure.  Parenting was hard from the word go. I carried Joey in agony. I hurt every day of it. He came. He could not eat. I was unequal to the task. I loved him so much, I became neurotic I both loved and hated the job. It took so much--more than I had.
     Joey was difficult. Other moms just didn't have to do what I had to do. He hated socks. It was 30 degrees out. He wouldn't wear them. Coats, pants, grocery stores, he will not to this day have it. Jelly that is sticky, food that is lumpy, and do not get me started on broken routines. My love for him threatened to break me. Therapy, parenting classes, psychiatrists, medication, endless~~*ENDLESS*~~meetings now with three year old Ellanor in tow.
     We had reached a corner. We stood on a shiny new acceptable diagnosis and stood poised to have a successful school year. Until the school decided it would benefit itself with the funds a student teacher brings. They brought her to Joey's class. Trouble started from Day One. Anxiety, fear, depression all stemming from the loss of his teacher. Then the student teacher publicly humiliated my son.
     I put down my name, my pride, my decorum, my dignity, and only felt the familiar raging love that threatened to undo me. The email started simply, "I am Joey's mom. That is all you need to call me." I identified teacher, school and class. I ended with, "I will only care about your student if you care about MY STUDENT."
     The Dean of Education of Pudue University is calling me on Monday. Most of the time I recommend following appropriate channels. Most of the time I say, "Use your nice words." I always say that love wins. But sometimes that love will not be silenced, marginalized, or quieted.  Not until every piece of the puzzle fits into place.


Joy spilled out

Tonight we gathered, we celebrated
Through laughter and chatter, I could hear it all
Joy spilling out, overflowing around the concrete floor gym
We shared a meal, encouraged each other, and worked together for a purpose
I just can't help but reflect
This is Christ in us
His love never fails, never gives up, never runs out
And so shall ours
So, tonight we gathered
In a complete picture of our savior
Joy spilled out...

Look Up!

Valentine's Day brings about a wide array of responses. It is my friend's favorite holiday. She goes all out to make it a special day for her husband and six children. Others dismiss it as a "Hallmark holiday" that has just been created to sell cards, candy, and flowers. For some single people it is a lonely, painful holiday. It certainly wasn't my favorite holiday throughout most of my twenties. As we look at those around us, it can be easy to wonder why certain things seem to be so difficult for us and so easy for others - whether that's getting a job, getting married, or having a baby. I well remember when pregnancy announcements, baby showers, and the sight of a baby belly could reduce me to tears.

Now that I have three children of my own this rarely happens; however, a couple of weeks ago a friend on Facebook posted of a relative of hers who just had a baby and was really in need of some baby gear. I felt lead to offer her some things my youngest no longer needs. Giving up these baby things was hard for me because I'd love to have one more baby, but my husband doesn't think we should do IVF again given we are now in our 40's. Around the same time I found out that a nineteen year old I've known for more than fifteen years is pregnant again. She dropped out of high school to move in with a guy she had known for one month, and she had her first baby five months ago. The three of them have lived in homeless shelters and spent some nights sleeping on the street in Florida. This young lady has no aspirations to ever have a job, and both she and her boyfriend smoke marijuana. I worry about their babies, especially as her boyfriend has spent time in jail for assault. He physically abused this young lady last summer during her first pregnancy. It's hard to understand why I had a miscarriage a few months ago and others who seem ill prepared for the task of motherhood can get pregnant very easily.

How we feel about our situation often depends upon our focus. Some of us might feel like we are struggling to get by financially, and yet compared to most people in the world, we are very wealthy. If you go to http://www.globalrichlist.com/ and enter your annual income, you can see where you are compared to the world as a whole. For example, an annual income of $25,000 puts you in the top 2%. If I remember that there are women who longed to have a baby and yet never saw those two lines on a pregnancy test, I feel incredibly thankful for my three blessings. Ultimately my focus should be on the Lord not my circumstances. The joy of the Lord is my strength. We are called to rejoice in the Lord. What a blessing it is to experience His peace and joy no matter what circumstances we are facing here on earth. If you are feeling lonely on this Valentine's Day, please remember that the God of the Universe loves you more than any human being ever could. You are not alone. You are deeply loved and wanted by our Heavenly Father.

Speak Your Valentine's Love Language!

Once again, Valentine's Day is upon us.  So what do you have planned?  Flowers? Candy? A romantic dinner for two?  A friend of mine made this statement today:  "What's the big deal about Valentine's Day?  Really.... shouldn't they treat you like you are a princess every day of the year?"  I laughed and replied that some do, and that we should treat them like kings.  


I have been talking to different people over the last few days about Dr. Gary Chapman's The Five Love Languages, and browsing his website.  When Philip and I were courting, we went through the book together, and it gave me such a hopeful sense that we could truly have a loving, Christ-centered marriage that would last for a lifetime.  I came across a short podcast in which Dr. Chapman makes the suggestion that for Valentine's Day, we express our love for our spouse in his or her primary love language, so that he or she will truly feel loved.  Flowers or other gifts may speak loudly to one person, while spending uninterrupted time together may speak more effectively to another.  To yet another, neither of these things might make them feel loved, but hearing their spouse tell them how much .  The five love languages are Words of Affirmation, Acts of Service, Gifts, Quality Time, and Physical Touch.  You can go to www.5lovelanguages.com and learn what your primary love language is, if you don't already know, and encourage your spouse to do the same, so you can begin to speak the love language that is most meaningful to one another.  I highly recommend this, not just for Valentine's Day, but for every day!




The Fight Within

    I have dieted most of my life time. I have been everything from a size 0 while anorexic, to a size 20 while pregnant. I have read several books that I have put into practice, using my own body as the test subject.
    Lately my brain says one thing while my body another, why is this? It's simple really. The body tries to put weight on in cold weather, because it needs the extra insulation to stay warm. Also, the body is more likely to become ill in winter. It uses fat for energy while recuperating from an illness. These are basic survival instincts kicking in.
    Here is the problem we run into. January first, most people mentally choose to change what they eat. Because most people have gained weight over the holidays, due to eating yummy sugary goodies at every gathering. Unfortunately, our body's survival instincts are working directly against the brain's New plan. The apostle Paul says it best in Romans 7:15 For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do.  
    So with all of that in mind, here is my plan. I'm not going to stress out over food. Rather, I'll eat some things that are less healthy, because I crave them, but most of the time I'll eat healthy nutritious things. Also, I'll be consciously drinking more water with fresh lime squeezed into it. Why? Because any citrus makes the body alkaline. An alkaline environment does not harbor disease but will repel it. An alkaline body is not swollen like an acidic body is, therefore I will be leaner. Not to mention, water flushes out toxins and helps the body with every function it does. This is a more balanced approach, therefore it's more likely to work. Above all, I'll be asking God what He would have me put into my body and asking His blessing upon it. This way all foods He has provided will be enjoyed. May God's temple, my body, be used for His glory in all things.
   

How He Loves....


Some recent posts have been referencing Valentine's Day.... I was determined NOT to write about love, hearts, roses, or anything associated with Valentine's Day....But tonight something happened that changed my mind..... I went to work.
   My job is a rewarding one. I have the privilege of working with people who have varying degrees of disability. Tonight was like every other Tuesday. I picked up the young lady who I work with and we headed out for our regular routine of bowling, dinner, and socializing with her friends.
   She has an admirer. Another individual who thinks she is the bomb! When he saw us walk over to the lane where he was bowling, he looked at me and said with his very broken speech.... "She makes my heart go 'boom boom'."
   I couldn't help but smile at his enthusiastic gushing. All evening long he took advantage of every opportunity to hold her hand, kiss her forehead, and tell her how much he loves her.
   I thought about God and how He loves us. We are his creation. His heartbeat. His bride. I could almost hear Him say....."She makes my heart go 'boom boom'."

*(Photo is from the Internet...not my individuals)

The Song of Songs


I remember a sleepover at Jeanne's (and therefor Terri's) house when I was twelve or thirteen, and we spent a good portion of our time acting out The Song of Solomon reader's theater style.  We talked about everything that night, and the memory is so precious to me. It's a shame that The Song of Songs is relegated to marriage seminars.  It has so much to offer us as we seek to understand our relationship with God and God's relationship to the church.
I'm so glad to have my valentine worked out, but I'm even happier to know God loves me in a personal way that can fill the unconnected places as nothing else can.  No matter what your valentine status this season, you have a lover in hot pursuit of your soul.  Will you be His valentine?

Be Mine


Image from: http://totallytwitterpated.files.wordpress.com/2009/11/ducky_candyheart_bemine2_md.png


Ah, Valentine’s Day is coming.  This brings to mind incidents of nervous hope, crushing disappointment, embarrassment, and sometimes mishaps involving fire. (Believe me, you don’t want to know.)  When I was a teenager, our school sold carnations for hopeful young admirers to bestow upon their choices.  Every year, I received one carnation.  I knew it was from my father who was a teacher at my school, even though he would make the tag, “From a Secret Admirer.”  At the time, I was disappointed that there really wasn’t a young man admiring me, and that the only flower I got (and thought I’d ever get) was from my dad.  Now, I am thankful that my father cared enough to send me a flower, so that I would never be the only young lady with none.  Thanks, Dad, for admiring me when no one else was. Your love has always been true. Our Heavenly Father did that for us.  When we were truly unlovable, undeserving, and incapable of helping ourselves, He sent His Son, Who came willingly to die for us.  “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16. God loved the unlovable, and Christ thought we were “to die for.”  Christ gave Himself for us, that we might live for Him.  Romans 5:8 says, “But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” The Author of Love defined it in Christ, all to plead with you, “Be Mine. I have made the Way for you. It is Finished.” His love is truer than death and larger than life, and through Him, we can truly learn to love.

Bricks.

     A Fable Inspired by a Sermon from My Pastor.

     The Master wanted to build.  He loves making things.  He needed bricks for this job, but His bricks are profoundly different than the standard red rectangles.  He did make a large amount of those, but there were bricks of every size, shape, and color.  The Master made them as He wanted them, called them all to Him, and then, inexplicably, left for a bit.  His only instruction was, "Love each other.  I will be back."
    At first, the bricks sat in their pile and waited with excitement.  But then, something happened wrong.  The red rectangles started screaming that they knew best, and after all, they were the "standard, most popular" bricks.  They left and sat in a wheelbarrow by themselves.  After a while the purple ovals, yellow squares, green circles, and orange stars followed suit.  The workspace was now filled with screaming bricks that were very neatly sorted.  This had to be what the Master intended, right?
     Everything was at least at a cool civil phase until the smug red rectangles noticed that they had somehow ended up with a yellow in their wheelbarrow.  Yellow was a happy brick.  She did not know that she was really that different.  She was a brick after all.  But the reds were not happy.  Yellow was there in their wheelbarrow it was inconceivable.  She had to be converted.  They said, "Cover that!  You are the wrong shape and size!  Fix it quick, we all know red rectangles is what the Master intended!"  Yellow had always been in the red wheelbarrow.  She had known no other life so she left to go fix it.
    First Yellow rolled in red terra cotta clay from the south.  It really didn't work.  As soon as she got wet the red washed off.  Her shame was exposed.  Then Yellow wandered into the workshop and found red paint.  At first, she was thrilled with the result, but after time, the paint flaked off and she was now spotty yellow.  Returning to the workshop Yellow found red stain.  When she finished, she was spotty ghastly orange.  
Yellow started to cry
     The Master, who really hadn't gone all that far, heard her sobs and saw her tears.  "Yellow!"  He said, "What has happened to you!  I need you now there is a space for you and you are red and ghastly orange spotty."  Yellow sniffled.  She told her sad story and the Master cried with her.  He held her and took her to the wall he was building.  She gasped.  
     Yellow saw that there were a rainbow of bricks being used.  Not just in standard rows either.  It was a sight to behold.  There were swirls, loops, Greek keys, and arches.  It was simply the most amazing thing Yellow had ever seen.  Then she saw it.  Yellow saw the spot where she was to fit.  There would be no other color for it.  Yellow was what He needed to complete that part of the pattern.  She cried all the more.  
     The Master smiled, "I can fix it, but it will hurt."  He took her to the work station and poured paint stripper on her and let it sit.  It burned like fire.  He scraped it off and took small chunks of her with the paint.  Then came the sanding.  He sanded away the stained layer but a crack had formed in the center.  Oh she was so broken and sad!  When it all seemed hopeless, the Master picked up a bucket of yellow mud.  "I made you exactly as I wanted you to be.  I have more of the clay here and I will fix it good as new."  With His own hands He filled in the missing chunks and sculpted her back to the way that He intended her to be.  After He blew the clay dry pouring healing into her heart, He said, "I love you and you are beautiful Yellow.  Come and be in my wall."  
     With expert hands He scraped the thick mortar onto her back and fit her into the spot He had always intended her to fill.  She laughed.  She sang.  She fit.  Her life was completed in Him and in His work.