Love, The Universal Language

Recently, while at my desk reading the Bible, my young cleaning lady who speaks limited English asked what I was reading.  As I began attempting to explain the story of the tares and the wheat, she had a puzzled look on her face.  Realizing I was trying to intellectualize the parable, immediately I turned to God and thought of Proverbs 3:5 where it states “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.”

There is no recollection of what I said but her smile was huge as I realized Truth and Love was what she understood.  It made no difference the words but it is clear that Love and Truth represent the Universal Language.  Maybe it was just putting the Bible down and  giving her time.   Maybe she knew I really cared about her.  There is no doubt that we both felt the presence of God as we embraced and said out “Good-byes”.

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Pettiness, Vanity

While studying and praying this morning and feeling gratitude and love, had a brief conversation with someone and it didn’t fit my picture.  Irritation came sneaking in when I was reminded of my recent prayer to see God in everything!  Remembering that the carnal mind as mentioned in the Bible is very subtle and always out to steal our joy, I immediately smiled to myself and said “gotcha” knowing that was what it was.  Vanity or emptiness  certainly doesn’t  come from God.

Psalm 105:4 states ” Look to the Lord and His strength; seek His face always.”  So thrilled that I caught it so soon thinking back over times when it may have taken me days to be that aware.  Once again, I will practice seeing God in everything!

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Saying Good-Bye

This morning while at my desk,  I received a telephone call saying my teacher, (who seemed like my mother, sister, best friend) passed on a few hours earlier.  There seems to be a void in my life right now but I know that void is filled with Love.  Human belief tells us we need to grieve and grieve if we really loved someone.  What a laugh!  I can almost hear her say “Rebecca, you’ve got this!”  She would want her life celebrated, not mourned!  As I watch a bird fly out of my sight through the window, it is true with her.  She is just out of my line of vision.

Romans 12:2 says “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.  Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is — His good, pleasing and perfect will.”  Today, I will celebrate all life!

The Tree with New Leaves

Recently we left town  for a few days.  Before leaving, my husband and I discussed a tree in our back yard that we both thought might be dead and was wondering who to call to cut it down when we came back.   While away one morning as I was praying, I remember asking to see God’s presence everywhere and began doing so.  Upon arriving home and unloading the car, I went to my desk and looked out the window.  There standing proud and lovely was our tree with leaves covering its branches.  There is much life in that tree as I see God expressed in growth and beauty.  Why do I ever doubt Him?

Psalm 16:11 states “You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”  Thank you, Father!

 

Waking up Differently

This morning as I study and pray at my desk, I think about how I awakened for many years.  The minute my eyes popped open, I would take an inventory mentally of all the problems that were going on in my life at that time.  The same thing would happen as I closed my eyes at night.  The difference now is as I retire for the night, I think of the many blessings God has bestowed upon me and I wake doing the same thing.  As I glance back, I cannot remember the exact time and date that change occurred nor does it matter.

Zephaniah 3:17 reads “The Lord your God is with you, He is mighty to save.  He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.”  This, I now know to be true and with this Truth, my heart sings.

Our Mood is a Choice

About six weeks ago, I sent a letter to a show called “Returning The Favor” which is a documentary about someone who is doing some good and making a difference.  For the past ten years our daughter and her husband have gone around giving away over one-half million pairs of new shoes to children who have none or old or hand-me-downs.  Our son-in-law is a grief counselor and is called to disaster areas to help out.

Out of thousands of letters, mine was chosen so this past month has been a little stressful.  This past week my brother and his wife and my niece and others joined us in a surprise event where the documentary was filmed while giving out new shoes to kiddos.  They were later given 1,000 pairs of awesome shoes and 10,000 pairs of wonderful socks along with a $25,000 check.  This morning, I could barely get out of bed and felt emotionally drained.  The first thought I had was one of “let down” similar to after Christmas feelings.  Within ten minutes, I recognized this as a world belief that we will come down after such a “high” period.  I refuted this erroneous thought and turned wholeheartedly to God where I read in 1 Chronicles 16:11 “Look to the Lord and His strength; seek His face always.”

That is exactly what I did and was so grateful I had experienced such love and giving this week.  We do not have to buy into any such belief ever!  It was so freeing to discover that and make it real for me.