No Fear?

Matthew 8:26

Good News Translation (GNT)

²⁶ “Why are you so frightened?” Jesus answered. “What little faith you have!” Then he got up and ordered the winds and the waves to stop, and there was a great calm.

I am inspired by some particular friends to write today.  Thanks to them, I have seen something in the Word that I have never seen before.  Maybe I'm just a late bloomer...

Anyway, I've always felt like when my faith is weak, that I hold God back.  Like my faith needs to be strong and courageous in order to move Him to do whatever it is I think He needs to do.  For a long time I've had this sneaking suspicion that I'm running in circles with this sort of thinking, but haven't felt there was any solution other than to pray for stronger faith.  

While probably not a bad thing to do at all...there was a man in the Bible who asked Jesus to help him with his unbelief...there are times in your life that you are so much in the middle of a problem that it is really humanly impossible to have the kind of faith that just flat out takes courage.  There are times when things are really frightening.  Whether it be sickness, finances, circumstances, emotional/mental struggles...those things can be scary!  As humans, we do tend to worry and fret, and yes, we know we shouldn't!  

When I read this scripture, I sort of pictured the scene of the disciples in the boat with the storm going on, frantically asking Jesus to do something about it.  (I know I'd be scared!)  Maybe I'm the only one, but I've always seen this story as a sort of chewing out by Jesus for their lack of faith.  But I look at it a little differently today.  I don't think He was chewing them out.  Maybe He was surprised that after the things He had already done they were still so easily frightened and lacking in faith. (Does that sound like anyone you know??)  I think He was more likely filled with compassion by the weakness they portrayed.

He recognized and acknowledged their fear and lack of faith...and STILL got up and did what they had asked Him to do.  He still calmed the storm.  It comes to me that our fear does not scare God and our lack of faith does not limit His ability.  Even when we are weak and fearful and having a hard time believing...He will still listen and do the work in our lives.  

Worth Every Minute

3 John 1:4
Complete Jewish Bible

4 Nothing gives me greater joy than hearing that my children are living in the truth.

As Thanksgiving Day draws near, I decided that I would take a moment to express my thankfulness for my children.  So much of what we deal with on a day to day basis can overshadow our appreciation for those closest to us.  I am no exception...have you read any of my other posts?!?!  It is so easy to get distracted by those pesky daily life problems!

I clearly remember being a young mother with two little toddlers and thinking that those days of diapers and no privacy (bathroom door always open) were never going to end.  I thought for a little while that my boys might grow up to be juvenile delinquents because I couldn't get them to mind all the time.  I would go to church and spend the majority of the time, it seemed, in the nursery.  I would wonder, why am I even here?  Why?

Well, this is why.  With my oldest son already moved out of the house and my youngest son nearing adulthood, I see them making their own commitments to God and living in truth.  I am so proud of those two boys and the men they are becoming.  I look back at those days of sitting in the nursery, the worry about whether or not I was doing a good enough job being a mom and feeling like I had lost my own identity, with thankfulness.   There was a purpose and it was worth every minute.

P.S.  Please note, this is just and expression of my own experiences and feelings, I would like to point out that I couldn't have done it without my one and only, the Father of my Children.  I love you!

My Voice

<sup>2 Timothy 3:16
(New Life Version)


16</sup> All the Holy Writings are God-given and are made alive by Him. Man is helped when he is taught God’s Word. It shows what is wrong. It changes the way of a man’s life. It shows him how to be right with God.

After a little over a year into this blog, this is not the first time I have contemplated the whole thing and been a little uncomfortable with how it may come across to people.  It started out as a way to voice my angst and heartbreak over having my oldest child leave home and go off to college.  I soon discovered that there was a certain amount of relief that accompanied the "voicing" and so have continued to use this blog for that purpose. 

The regular reader knows that every post starts off with a scripture or two, followed by my particular rambling (thought, feeling and/or perspective) of that moment.  I have had the thought throughout that I should post here and there without the scriptures so as not to give anyone the wrong idea.  I am not super-spiritual.  I'm not a theologian.  I claim no special insight or knowledge of the Word.  

But...I don't know how to look at the challenges or joys of life without the scripture!  It is the lifeline to me.  I don't always have it together.  Sometimes I look at the footprints in the sand and wonder why God is making me walk it alone.  Sometimes things around me distract me from my purpose.  Sometimes I cry from hurt and frustration.  Sometimes life just seems too hard to handle.  

So, while there is certainly a spiritual perspective and application to all of my posts, it is only because I can't do life without the guidance and divine intervention that only God's Word can give.  I need reminders of who He is, who I am, and that those are His footprints - I'm in His arms. 

Comfort

Psalm 23

King James Version

23 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

² He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
³ He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
⁴ Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
⁵ Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
⁶ Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

Anyone who knows about David knows that when he wrote this Psalm, he knew what he was talking about. Most of us can identify with him in one form or fashion at some point in our life.  Whether it is his failures, his sense of injustice or his joy in the presence of the Almighty God.

Sounds a lot like me, in fact.  I have failed in more ways than I'd like to think about.  I've definitely felt like life has been unfair at times.  But, oh, how I have also felt the comfort that can only be felt in the presence of that very same God that David rejoiced in.  

Healing Touch

Matthew 14:35-36
English Standard Version (ESV)

35 And when the men of that place recognized him, they sent around to all that region and brought to him all who were sick 36 and implored him that they might only touch the fringe of his garment.  And as many as touched it were made well.

My heart goes out to those around me who are in a physical and/or emotional need of healing.  When you know someone is hurting, saying, "I'm praying for you" just doesn't seem like enough.  And whether someone is healed or not healed, sometimes seems like a mystery.

I read this scripture passage and I felt like a little bit of the mystery involved opened up to me.  If we could travel to a particular place and touch a particular thing or person and be healed, wouldn't we?  Yes, we all would.  We would pay whatever the cost is and go.  The people in this story did just that and they received their healing...just by touching the hem of His clothes.  I don't imagine that it was a calm line that formed or there was a number to take...when they heard that Jesus was nearby, what I imagine is a mad dash...or crawl...to reach out and touch Him.

I'm sure by now, some of you know where I'm going.  I believe we still need to reach out and touch to receive our healing.  And just like we can imagine the crowd around Him - the distractions and doubts of life - it may be that we have to scramble and crawl and push our way to His feet.

If you are reading this and you need your healing, of any kind...don't give up. Scramble, push, crawl your way past the distractions until you touch Him.

Namesake

Luke 8:1-3
New Life Version (NLV)

After this Jesus went to all the cities and towns preaching and telling the Good News about the holy nation of God. The twelve followers were with Him. ² Some women who had been healed of demons and diseases were with Him. Mary Magdalene, who had had seven demons put out of her, was one of them. ³ Joanna, the wife of Chuza who was one of Herod’s helpers, was another one. Susanna and many others also cared for Jesus by using what they had.

Who wouldn't want to find their name in the Bible?  Not only is mine in there, but it's only in there once. Well, for some reason the other day, I decided to just glance at it again.  I read that last phrase and it jumped out at me.  Some, who know me, know that I have never been completely comfortable in the some of the roles I have found myself fulfilling.  I'm kind of the type to likes to blend in with the crowd.  I don't like public speaking, I don't like being the center of attention, in fact, I'm rather shy and reserved.  All of that sort of explains my feelings of angst when it comes to some of the roles I fulfill.  There have even been times, and still are some times, when I have raised an eyebrow at God, as in - what, exactly, are You thinking?

I've looked around me and seen examples of what/who I thought I should be like...and that just makes me feel like I am playing dress-up.  So, for reasons of His own, I have continued to fulfill certain roles and functions in my life. Comfortable or not.  I have already come to this conclusion, of course, but as I read this scripture, I saw exactly what He has been teaching me all this time.  I may not do it like someone else, or like I think someone should do it, but that isn't what He wants.  If He has assigned me a certain task, then all He is asking is that I use what I have and who I am to fulfill that task.  

Each of us are different.  Differently personalities, different strengths, different quirks, different struggles.  Not only does the Word say not to compare ourselves to other people, it really is a completely pointless thing to do.  I think we are all safe in assuming that God made us different because that's the way He wanted us.  And just like the Susanna in the book of Luke, we should serve Him by using what we have, what He gave us.  

Momentary Flare

Psalm 62:1


Easy-to-Read Version

I must calm down and turn to God; only he can rescue me.

Sometimes there are days, even weeks of chaos in one's life.  Sometimes it just a momentary flare.  I find myself having those moments every now and then.  Usually because I let myself dwell on things that I cannot change - whether it be circumstances or what someone else thinks.  

Forgiveness is a pathway to freedom, no doubt.  And as I have let Him, God has shown me that path.  But can I just be honest right now and say that while the choice to forgive frees one from unnecessary bondage, it doesn't always take away the hurt and disappointment that one may have.  It doesn't make you forget the people you once loved and counted on, that helped make your life complete.  It doesn't give back innocence or that face-value trust that one might have had.  

I know that I am not the only one who has those "momentary flares".  We all rub shoulders with those who either maliciously or ignorantly have caused us to feel hurt, loss, disappointment.  Most of us go ahead and put the smile on (thankfully!) and forge ahead...life does go on!  

But on that forgiveness pathway I know there is also the healing and rescue if we turn towards it. I think a deep breath is in order. Calm - God - Rescue.