Led By a Child

I John 3 & 4
Church has been a part of my life as long as I can remember. I’ve heard many good sermons – lots of beautiful music – and even laughed my way through a few “memorable experiences.” It was an evening service I was attending this time. This particular group of people was unique. Many in attendance were foreign missionaries. They had gathered from around the world, home from their fields for furlough, or for a time of encouragement. Everyone in the service came with battles they were facing. Front line warriors know about warfare, and even the best warriors get weary. Some were praying and contemplating decisions that would permanently affect their futures, and the futures of their loved ones.
We had worshiped in song, and now the leader was giving us a chance to worship by sharing how God had helped us personally.
I’m sure many people stood and gave praise. But you know it’s funny; I don’t remember the words of any other person who shared that night, except one.
She was just a little, bitty thing. Brown hair, blue eyes, all of two years old. She stood up on the seat and stated her testimony loud and clear. She didn’t say the expected, “I love Jesus,” or, “Pray for my dog.” This little girl, in her childish speech, all of seven words, gave a profound truth. Quite understandably she simply stated, “God loves me with all His heart.”
The effect was amazing. Watching from the platform, I remember specifically the look on one missionary’s face that sat on the front row. I don’t know everything he had faced that year, but I know that spiritual warfare had been heavy. This child, with her simple, truthful, statement worked wonders in hearts, and left imprints on minds that would never be forgotten. Tears got all mixed up with smiles and perhaps losses changed to victories as we realized one more time, God loves us with ALL His heart!
Oh, God, help me to accept the wonderful gift of Your love. Wipe off the lens of my glasses, adjust my binoculars. Help me to see, even through the rough places of life, that you love me, with all Your heart.

Take It with You
“How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God.” I John 3:1 (NIV)

Worth Getting Close

Mark 5:24-34
It was a cool, but sunny, January day in Florida. I was getting “house fever,” so my husband and I took a drive into town to do a few necessary errands. On the way “little guy” fell asleep. So, rather than go into a restaurant and take the chance of him awakening and filling customers with a lusty scream, we ordered from a drive through and headed to a local park.
This park has a beautiful lake, and around the waters edge were over 40 hungry seagulls, and a few ducks. As we neared the conclusion of lunch, my husband decided to take the “leftover” fries and feed them to the seagulls. If you’ve never done this, it’s quite an amazing experience. Every seagull on the place is determined to have its piece of fry!
No sooner had he distributed his fries, when the cutest yellow duck, with a tuft of white fur on top its head came waddling along. It was a long ways away, but here it came, hoping against hope that a piece of fry would remain once it arrived at the right spot. It didn’t have a chance! The seagulls swooped and flew and there wasn’t a crumb left. I felt so sorry for that duck! It waddled all that way for nothing.
Scrounging around, I found a few other food remains in the bag. Problem -- how to get them to the duck BEFORE the seagulls found them. That yellow duck kept waddling closer and closer to our van. The black, little, beady eyes searched the ground as it waddled along. My husband stood behind the door and made coaxing sounds. The seagulls watched -- at a distance. The yellow duck got closer, and closer. Surely it was fighting a little fear of the unknown. I mean, come on, it was definitely not in its “comfort zone.” Besides, how did it know we’d even give it anything if it did get close? Still, it kept coming closer. Soon it was close enough to receive its reward. No seagull got that piece of food. No sireee! It belonged to that waddling, yellow, duck with the tuft of white on top.
O, Lord, help me to not be satisfied with ordinary “morsels.” Wipe off the lens of my glasses, adjust my binoculars. Help me to take time to get close to You. Help me to trust You when you lead me out of my “comfort zone,” and know, You will draw near to those who draw near to You.
Take It With You
“Come near to God and he will come near to you.” James 4:8a (NIV)

Beauty From Thorns

School was out! All my kindergarten boy had left was his graduation. As a token of appreciation for his teacher, her hard work, AND her extreme patience, we decided to give her a special poem, along with a rose. Off to the local store we went – my son and I. He was to pick out this gift – especially for her. Finally, he chose a beautiful, red rose. As I was pulling it out of the container, I was suddenly brought to a quick halt. He firmly declared he did NOT want one with “those THINGS” on it. Upon inquiring just what “things” he was talking about, I realized he meant the THORNS! He wanted the beauty of the rose, but he didn’t want to come close to “paying” for the beauty by being “pricked” by the thorns. Neither did he want to give teacher an “inferior” gift – and that’s how he saw a rose with thorns.
If we’re honest with ourselves, sometimes we look at life a little like that. We always desire the beauty of God’s blessings, but sometimes the greatest beauty He has for us is learned from the valley – after a few “thorn pricks.” It’s never pleasant to “bleed” but, oh, the comfort of His Presence as He stand with us in the valley. He knows. He knows the valley best because he’s “ been there before. He sees. He sees His child who is trusting through the pain and He Himself as promised never to leave or forsake us.
Jesus Himself is also called our, “Rose of Sharon.” Yet, even He, the most perfect rose, was crowned with thorns. Yes, there is beauty gained from the thorns. Every “prick of the torn” we endure in real life can serve to draw us closer to Jesus, our Rose of Sharon. Each test calls us deeper – deeper into the heart of God.
The beauty of His Presence, the grace He provides, the love He gives is well worth the price of the thorn! O, God। Help me allow the “pricks” of life to draw me deeper into You.

Take It With You
“The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; and he knows those that trust in Him.” Nahum 1:7

Tough Spots

Matthew 11:25-30
Listening from my bedroom I could hear what to others may sound as pandemonium. The trumpet practice sounded from another bedroom. The violin was being played vigorously in the living room. Who knows what my daughter was doing . . . and our almost three year old ran around the house keeping his eye on everything and everyone.
Soon my ear began to pick up the sound closest to me. The violin. Quickly my son flew through the first part of the piece. It sounded great. Then, all of the sudden, he came to a spot that wasn’t so familiar. He slowed down -- kept on going -- but struggled along to the finish. His jubilee at the end was amazing. “I did it! I played all of it! Did you hear that, Mom?” He had finished the piece. He wasn’t worried about the “tough spots.” He had played through it, and he knew the next time through would be easier, and the next, and the next, until finally, the whole piece sounded as good as the beginning.
Ever been in a “tough spot?” Perhaps life hasn’t given you any. Hang on. Most likely it will.
Sometimes we have had so many “tough spots” we don’t feel like trying again. The hurts have been many. People betray us, friends forsake us, the whole world we know seems to mock us. We are so tired. The wounds of our soul are open and raw. Tired of the aching, the longing, the waiting.
The words of Jesus remain, “Come, to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”(Matt. 11: 28 NIV) The problem seems to be in “come.” See, then we have to trust again. Then we have to lean. We can’t zip through this part of life’s song. We don’t even want to keep playing. But, He says, “come.” And, when we do, His strength helps us keep the song going. It might be slow. We may have to pause to figure out some notes, but we keep playing. Someday when our life’s song is finished, our jubilee will be unmatched as we hear the words, “Well, done my good and faithful servant.”
O, Lord, give me strength to keep playing life‘s song. Wipe off the lens of my glasses, adjust my binoculars, and through my tears help me see the notes of the music You have for me. Give me the faith to trust, the courage to lean, the strength to rest, and the wisdom to play the song as You want it played.

Take It With You
“The Lord replied, ‘My Presence shall go with you, and I will give you rest.”
Ex. 33:14 (NIV