Trasured Moments

My day began early, just as the sun was giving a slight hint of its impending coming. I sat in the quietness of the living room looking outside the window at the shadows the trees and rose bushes made against the still mostly dark sky. Peaceful moments, alone with God, allowing Him to touch my heart and my mind. The God of the whole universe likes to spend time with me. Amazing, isn’t it?

I wanted to hear more from Him, so I headed upstairs to my office space in the loft to read my Bible. The sun was obviously rushing to this part of the world and it was starting to get brighter outside. I sat down at my desk, opened the precious book, and continued to read Genesis. I’ve been reading from Genesis for a few weeks now. Jacob blessing his family before he died. God at the center of every blessing.

God is truly at the center of every blessing. Anything good I have or that happens to me, is a gift from Him who loves to shower me with beautiful things.

Looking at the brighter day on the other side of the window in front of me, I couldn’t resist but put on my tennis shoes and go outside to explore the morning. The early hours of the day have a strong pull on me, and the summer days make the cool mornings simply irresistible.

I walk outside and smile when I feel the coolness of the air on my skin, and the sounds and sights of the world right before the sun shows up. I head to the paved path behind the houses. On the other side of the path, in the distance, the mountains sit in silence still hiding the sun. A neighbor was watering her garden. I had to stop and compliment her on the beautiful yard she has, with the green grass, abundance of flowers, and feeders for all kinds of birds that are frequent visitors to her green haven. She smiles and thanks me.

I am surrounded by green on both sides of the path, with trees, some yielding ripening fruit, and by flowering bushes. The scent of the plants is invigorating and sometimes I have to release my energy with a light jog. I smile and wonder if I’m the only jogger who smiles while running. The others don’t seem to. I can’t help it though. It’s a natural reaction of the feelings building up inside.

Did you know that trees release a chemical called phytoncide that boosts our immune system by increasing the activity and number of natural killer cells? It also reduces stress, and promotes mental health. That’s why spending time in nature is so important to our overall health, and we should find opportunities every week to submerse ourselves in the natural world. You may learn more by doing a search on forest bathing. I love these words by the way. A bath of forest. Delightful!

It was when I approached the top of the hill during my early walk that I noticed hot air balloons taking off from an open space nearby. Soon the sky was filled with colorful balloons. In fact, the neighborhood was taken over by a flock of balloons passing by everywhere! As the sun sent its first rays across the land, the colors of the balloons became brighter. What a feast of colors right above me. As I passed fellow early rising neighbors, we joyfully commented on the personal Balloon Fiesta we were having this morning. Of course, I had to smile some more. How can one not smile when surrounded by colorful hot air balloons, the beautiful morning sunshine, birds singing, and all the phyntoncides being released by the trees? It’s unavoidable!

I kept walking while taking in the sights, sounds, and scents around. Soon I came to an open space where I could no longer hide from the sun, so I decided to embrace it. Its hug was so warm and bright. A baby bunny crossed the path running away from me. One day the bunnies will no longer have that fear of people and will let us pet their adorable little bodies to our heart’s content. But for now I can only admire it from a distance, hopping away from me showing off its cute cotton ball tail.

My thoughts turn to God. This was a difficult week with difficult projects, criticism, unkind words, and unloving expectations. This beautiful world, my treasured morning moments, tainted by the difficulties that sin creates. I asked God if it’s possible to experience pure and unrestricted joy while living in this blue planet of ours stained by evil? He didn’t answer, but reminded me to give it all to Him. So I did just that. My hurt, sadness, insecurities, my broken dreams, all placed at His feet for Him to take care of for me.

As I head home I am again in awe of my surroundings. In spite of all the bad, God still places so much good around us. Wonderful love that didn’t leave us alone in the mess we created. Amazing grace that reaches through the great divide and saves us from ourselves. So I’m at peace. My God is taking care of me.

I reach my house and I’m grateful for the place He has given me to live and the people inside, my family, whom I love so much.

My dog greets me at the door. She wants to go outside and bark at the balloons, so I let her. How awesome that she barks and they slowly obey her barking and disappear out of her sight. I decide to water the garden. I can’t wait for harvest time. The baby hummingbirds sit still in their tiny nest. And a brand new day, which God made especially for me by the way, has began. And I smile…again.

In His Care

Photo by Roman Kraft

The tall pine tree in front of my window dances wildly with the wind, and the sound of the fast air moving through the pine needles and branches remind me of the sound of the ocean. How I miss the ocean. A tiny airplane way up above travels who knows where. In the distance the sun casts its last colors as another day comes to an end. The birds do their acrobats up in the sky as they head to their place of rest for the night. The Sabbath is almost over, another week is about to begin. Hopefully this next week will be a little calmer, so I can better enjoy a recent blessing God has given me and my family.

You see, a while back we were pondering the possibility of moving to a different house so to be a little closer to my son’s school, but then we thought that we didn’t want to go through all the trouble of moving again. With that idea in mind we decided that when time came, we would renew the lease and stay in the house at least another year.

But life often throws unexpected things at us, and our plans get altered, and so our landlord decided to sell the house. Since we didn’t want to purchase it, we had to look for a new one. We had to move after all!

With limited time to pack and find a new house, lets just say life got a little more stressful. In spite of knowing that God would provide, as the days went by and we couldn’t find anything that would work for us, I worried.

It was then that we decided to see a house that had been on the market for a while, but had no pictures online. Why were there no pictures? After looking at the house and understanding why there were no pictures, we drove around the neighborhood for a bit. It was different. I liked it. There were trees, and the lawns had grass instead of the desert landscape we are used to. Tall brick houses reminded us of being in a different state.

As we stopped at a stop sign to turn and go back home, my son says “for rent!” We looked and sure enough, on the fence of a house there was a for rent sign. We quickly turned around to see another for rent sign on the garage door. Thinking there was no way we could afford a house in this neighborhood, we called the number on the sign and left a message. Two days later the owner called to explain a little about the house and to set a time for us to see it. And we did, and loved the house, and it was within our budget, and an amazing group of friends helped us move, and we’ve been here for almost one week now.

The house is bright, the backyard is larger than our previous one, and it has more trees. Fruit trees even. There are garden beds for me to play in the dirt, and we wake up in the mornings with our new feathery friends singing on the trees right outside the windows.

I will always be in awe of how God takes care of us so beautifully. And how often He not only gives us the desires of our hearts, but also so much more than we can think of or imagine.

As the now dark sky reveals the stars shining above, I am reminded in this recent experience, once again, that I am in my Heavenly Father’s care and I need not to worry.

Whatever you are going through, know that God, who loves you so much, is caring for every little detail of your life. It may be stressful at times, it may hurt, you may suffer. Life in this world is crazy like that, because our enemy wants to make our existence miserable. But, and I love this word at times. But God, who wants to make your existence an amazing adventure with Him, will get you through whatever you are going through. Because you too are in His care, and need not to worry.

"Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you."

I Peter 5:7

15 Minute Car Trip

Photo by Frank McKenna on Unplash

Driving to work earlier this week, I was smiling from ear to ear as I was thinking of Heaven.  A life of eternal joy and peace, as distant from sin as eternity, made my heart happy. Just can’t wait! The morning was beautiful, clouds played above the snowy mountains in the distance, and the sun shone brightly above them. The beginning of a new day, and all I could think about was Heaven. Bliss!

But then I looked in the rearview mirror at the car behind me and I was brought back to earth. A woman drove, but the shadows of the car hid her face so that I couldn’t really see her. On the passenger seat, the sun shone strong on the face of the young man sitting beside her. He had Down Syndrome. My mind started thinking about the mother’s love, patience, and challenges as she strove to prepare her son for life in this world.

This was a busy and emotionally stimulating week. There is so much pain. We truly go through  much hardship on this earth. A friend who believes her prayers don’t pass the ceiling of her home. A friend going through a divorce and struggling to make ends meet. A friend who lost an important amount of money to a trusted loved one. A friend whose young nephew is struggling for his life due complications of the flu. A friend who closes up in her depression. Unplanned pregnancies. Unable to conceive. Feelings of guilt. Struggling with anxiety. Loss of health. Separation of loved ones by distance or death. Work problems. Marriage problems. Parenting challenges.

I thought about all this. The faces of people whom I love attached to all these problems. And I’m still struggling myself to learn to live in this world without any of my parents.

I looked at the car beside me, a young man in the driver’s seat, and wondered what his struggles were?

Overwhelmed by emotion and sadness, my eyes filled with tears. What a horrible world we live in. What a difficult lot sin has placed in our existence.

Thankfully, God gently reminded me that I am to place all my anxieties upon Him. So I did. I placed in His hands each one of my friends and loved ones, including myself. And I felt peace. Because in God’s care is where we all need to be.

How precious then are God’s promises of Heaven and eternal life with Him. How wonderful that our suffering is contained to his earth only. Soon we will be enjoying life, real life, forever separated from sin and its effects, in a place of joy and peace. It’s going to be amazing!

By the time I got to work, I was again smiling from ear to ear. Heaven was, once again, on my mind. What a beautiful day. What an awesome God I serve.

"And the God of all grace who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will Himself restore you and make you strong, firm, and steadfast.

To Him be the power for ever and ever. Amen."

I Peter 5:10, 11

Reflections

Sitting at my desk at the end of another day. January quickly vanishing in time. Where does time go? Where does it come from? The clock constantly ticking the minutes and hours away, never to return. Everything seems so insignificant and yet so full of meaning. In the scope of eternity, these fleeting moments of time, though apparently unimportant, are filled with essence and purpose. Precious time. Heavenly gift.

And as I reflect on my day, my mind wanders to my favorite time this morning. The early rush was causing me stress, trying to get everything ready for the day before heading out the door. The chaos of the many things to get done before leaving.

Then my son sat at the piano and started playing. The sound produced by his fingers was beautiful. His heart touching every single note. And I couldn’t resist but stand still with the time. I sat on the couch behind him savoring every bite of my breakfast, looking at the little birds on the other side of the patio door enjoying theirs, while listening to the pleasant sounds happening near me. Chopin, Bach, Paul de Senneville and Olivier Toussaint among others, all blending together in beautiful music. My son at the piano. Precious peaceful moments that I will treasure forever. My mother would be so proud.

I believe I carried the effects of these quiet early morning minutes with me for the rest of the day. And as I reflect on it I feel gratitude. Although there is so much I don’t understand about this one life God gave me, although I so often have to press on by faith because I just can’t see it, He fills my life with moments that touch me and change me forever. And for that I am grateful.

"He has made everything beautiful in its time."

Ecclesiastes 3:11

 

Foot Prints on the Sand

Sitting here in my home office looking out the window and thinking about the past year. I would love to say that 2017 was the most horrible year of my life, but I can’t. It was an extremely difficult year, I can’t deny that. This past year I attended at least eight funerals, including my own mother’s. I lost friends and family to illness, to homicide, and to accidents. And there were other trials. Many other trials. During this time, my family and I spent several weeks apart due to obligations out of state - even out of the country - and work schedule conflicts. We were away from each other during some of the toughest times. The emotional and spiritual struggles were extremely intense.

Yet I just can’t bring myself to say this was the most horrible year of my life. I can’t because the whole time I know without a doubt that I was being carried in the arms of Jesus.

Do you know that story of the footprints on the sand? A person had a dream about walking with God on a beach and all was well until he noticed that during his most difficult times there was only one set of foot prints on the sand. Upset, thinking that God had left him when he needed Him the most, he complained to God. Lovingly God explained that the foot prints the man saw belonged to Him. During the person’s trials and tribulations, God gently carried him in His arms.

That’s where I have been this past year, and still am. In God’s arms. There is no way I could’ve done it on my own. So as I look back at the foot prints on the sand, I only see on set: God’s.

This close to Him I’ve been able to see life a tiny little bit the way He sees. In His arms I’ve felt safe and loved. He has given me strength, comfort, and peace beyond human understanding, and given me the courage to hold on tight to Him during the most difficult times.

I don’t know when I’ll be able to put my feet back on the ground and take some steps on my own. I trust He will gently put me back down when the time is right. Even then I don’t have to worry, because I know I’ll walk under the shelter of His wings. And if needed be, He'll pick me up in His arms again.

Photo by Bill Kasper

"He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and protection."

Psalm 91:4

Healing my Broken Heart

    I was getting ready for my morning jog. I put on my tennis shoes, grabbed my sunglasses, my phone, put my ear phones in, and got ready to hit the pavement in the company of motivational people like Rich Roll, Dave Ramsey, or maybe some great TED speakers. I stepped outside the house and was about to start my podcast app when I felt the gentle touch of the warm sun and the cool morning air on my skin. It felt so good and peaceful that suddenly I wanted silence and quietness. No longer did I want the company of people through my podcasts app. I put the phone away and started walking down the street to warm up while enjoying the beautiful morning. I love mornings, and what a beautiful encounter God had planned for the two of us at the beginning of that new day.
    As I walked, I began to hear singing. The song was familiar, but I hadn’t heard it in a while. The melody was beautiful and perfect and made my heart rejoice. I wanted to find the singer, and as I neared the sound I finally saw him. I looked up, and on top of a tall tree, a male house finch greeted the day with the most beautiful song. I stopped for a few seconds looking up to admire him. I had to smile as I tried to imagine why he was singing so happily. Summer has ended and cooler Fall days have started to embrace this part of the world. Perhaps he was happy because he had spent the last few months raising his family and knew he had prepared his children well for life in this world. He was probably rejoicing on a job well done. Or maybe the house finch on top of the tree was a young male who had spent the Summer being raised by good loving parents, and was happy that he had been well prepared for life as an adult. Whatever the reason, I was certainly witnessing a praise session. That little bird was content and he made me feel content too.
    I started thinking about how I had woken up that morning. As I slowly opened my eyes from sleep and realized it was the beginning of a new day, I had to smile. And then I smiled again because I don’t remember waking up smiling in a very long time. And I smiled some more because I knew my Heavenly Father had placed that smile on my lips.
    2017 has been a difficult year for me. From January until now, Murphy Law has tried to take over my days again and again, sometimes with much success. Words like “horrible, depressing, let down, discouraging” and many others like these have been part of my vocabulary for the past several months. I have experienced loss, hurt, criticism, sadness, and disappointment. However, as God helps me to see deeper, I have also experienced love, compassion, growth, generosity, healing, and so many more amazing things. With my eyes on Jesus, who helps me focus on the good, I can wake up smiling in spite of the storm that has encapsulated me for the past few months. I pray I keep my eyes on Him at all times! As I have learned before, and I'm experiencing it again, God doesn’t waste our pain, but always makes something beautiful out of our suffering.
    Several weeks before my mother passed away, she told me how she was ready to rest from it all. Hurting, I told her we were going to miss her very, very much. “You’ll be ok” she told me looking away.  The first few weeks after she died I would remember her words and in the midst of my pain think that no, we were not ok, but as God does his gentle work in my life, I’m starting to see my mother was right. Moms are always right! I am ok and I shall be ok. I do miss her deeply, and often the sharp pain of my loss comes out in a stream of tears down my face. I don't know when or if that will ever end. However, my mom knew that God has promised to heal the brokenhearted and to save those who are crushed in spirit. That's how she could say we would be ok. 
    If you are going through a difficult time, know that God sees your pain. Not one tear you shed goes unnoticed by your Heavenly Father. He cries with you, but more than that, He is very near, embracing you with love, strength, and comfort. Simply curl up in His arms while the storm passes by. And the God who loves you more than anything, will too heal your broken heart, bind your wounds, and gently turn your pain into something beautiful.

    So 2017 has been very difficult, but also very good. I have a beautiful life, a wonderful family, a job I thoroughly enjoy, great friends, people who enrich my prayer life, and a God that wow,

every day surpasses all my expectations and understanding. He loves me unconditionally and is healing my broken heart. He also gave me great parents who prepared me well for life as an adult in this world. Parents who gave me everything I need to continue my journey on this earth until I go to my Heavenly Home. Until that day, I'll just stay close to my Heavenly Father as He does His work of shaping me more into His image.
    I am content and as I was coming home from my morning jog, I decide to join the house finch in song.
 

 

I love you Lord, and I lift my voice,
to worship You, all my soul rejoice.
Take joy my King, in what You hear.
May it be a sweet, sweet sound, in Your ear. 

"He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds."

Psalm 147:3

"The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit."

Psalm 34:18

Bear Tracks

   

I had been looking forward to a nice hike up in the mountains. We were spending a few days in nature with friends, and the hike up on the mountain was high on my wish list. The setting was beautiful and the scenery from the top was breathtaking. We collected delicate flowers, an orange feather, took many pictures of the view, and had fun exploring when we decided to go for a hike. While exploring we started noticing different tracks. Some human foot prints, deer prints, some we new belonged to dogs, and then we saw them…bear tracks! They looked pretty dry so I assumed they weren’t recent, but as a group we became naturally a little more alert of our surroundings. One member of the group expressed that it was probably a good time to go back to our car, but not everyone agreed.
    We continued exploring the trail, taking in the beautiful scenery, the mountain top views, the different type of birds with their songs, and enjoying the fresh mountain air when we stumbled upon another set of bear tracks...smaller bear tracks. We thought they might be from a cub and where there is a baby bear, there is most likely a mother bear. This time there were more expressions of concern and even fear. Some in our group strongly expressed the need to go back and as I learned that day, fear is contagious. I finally asked who wanted to go back and it was decided that the majority was ready for a u-turn.

    We hiked back where there was a restaurant and more people, a safer place to explore. As we were looking around we found a map of the trails in the area. When we looked at the trail we had come from, we noticed that in the middle of the loop there was a lake. A mountain top lake! How cool it would have been to have seen it. It must have been beautiful. As we all pondered on the idea of a lake on top of the mountain, someone suggested going back and finding the lake, but by then it was time to get back to ground level. Just then we realized that we had missed a great opportunity because we allowed fear to dictate what we should do. Fear had won and we missed out on something that could’ve been really cool.
   

Ralph Waldo Emerson once said that fear defeats more people than any other one thing in the world. We were definitely defeated by our fear of possible bears and may have missed out on a very nice experience. I’m not saying we should be careless with wild life. We should be very cautious and alert, but there were other groups on that trail, before and even after us and the tracks didn't seem too recent.
    Fear can be very debilitating in our lives, not only when hiking in the great outdoors. Think about the fears you have. Maybe you’re afraid of flying on an airplane, so you miss out on experiencing beautiful places that are far away. Maybe you’re afraid of changing careers, but you may be missing out on a great professional experience. You may be afraid of telling that special someone that you like them, but you may miss out on the relationship of your life! Maybe you're afraid of restoring an old friendship damaged by hurt feelings, but you’ll be missing out on the peace and joy that comes from forgiving and being forgiven. Maybe you're afraid of committing to a life of following God, but you'll be missing on your greatest adventure for this life and for eternity. Perhaps your fears are preventing you from running after your dreams, but you may miss out on the mission and purpose of your existence.
    Henry Ford, the founder of the Ford Motor Company, once said: “One of the greatest discoveries a man makes, one of his great surprises, is to find he can do what he was afraid he couldn’t do.” It’s amazing what we can do when we overcome our fears. Don’t let fear get in the way of your dreams or of reaching your full potential. You and God can do all things together. We fear what could be, often an idea that is only in our mind, but if we overcome that obstacle, we will have wonderful opportunities. So get up and face your fears head on. Perhaps on the other side of the trail you’ll get to experience a beautiful mountain top lake. 

"Fear not, for I am with you;
Be not dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you,
Yes, I will help you,
I will uphold you with My righteous right hand."

Isaiah 41:10 

Purpose

    Sitting here in my office with the window open, I can hear the sound of water drops falling from the roof onto the stony ground. I think it rained last night, or maybe even early this morning. Gray clouds gently pass by taking the rain with them and giving way to light blue skies. The sun still hides behind the tall mountains to the east. It’s early in the morning and I enjoy a still quietness around me while most of my world still sleeps. At some distance I can hear the occasional sounds of phoebes and little gold finches greeting the early hours of the morning. It’s a new day, with new promises, promises of love, life, and mercy.
    This past week, what had been threatening to happen for several months finally happened as my mother closed her eyes to life on this earth. During these last few months, prayers for healing gave way to prayers for wisdom, then prayers of surrendering of the will, and finally to prayers for peace, strength, and comfort. Someone told me that my mother prepared herself and her family for this moment. Looking back I can see how true this statement is. For the past few months, she helped us realize what a good life she had, but also what a better life awaits her. To her last breath, she was working to help us prepare for a life without her daily presence in this earth and for an eternity together in Heaven. For now she rests from the cares of this world. The time spent with her and our conversations, made me realize the vanity, but also the purpose of life here on earth. We humans are constantly running to and from, so busy with so many things. Think about your day yesterday. What did you accomplish for eternity? Were you so busy with your daily activities that the 24 hours you were given were wasted with things of no true value? Those precious hours, an incredible gift from God, will never be recovered. What about the 24 hours that we are graciously being given today? I was looking at the little birds the other day and thinking about their lives. They are busy gathering their food and feeding their young, but also spend so much time flying, enjoying the sky, and singing from tree to tree. They know their Heavenly Father is taking care of them and they will lack nothing they truly need. I know humans are more complex creatures with more complex emotions and way of thinking, but there is something to be learned. I envy the birds’ contentment with life. They’re not busy worried if their nests obey the rules of Feng Shui, if it’s minimalist enough, or even if their homes are full to the brim with a bunch of cool stuff. They are content with their lives and so they have time to spend exploring the skies and singing praises to their Creator. I envy that!
    These past few months I have been blessed to see through my mother what a life completely focused on Christ truly is and I must say it’s beautiful. Even simply laying in bed, my mom showed us what the real purpose of our earthly life is. In the midst of our daily activities, Christ must be the center of it all, and sharing Him with those around us starting with our family is our purpose. Everything we do every single moment of our day must be for Him and only the complete surrender of our will to Christ will prepare us for life eternal. And there is nothing more I desire than eternal life, a life without sin and suffering. How wonderful it sounds! I’ll get to walk on streets made of gold, spend forever with my mother and my father, and continually praise the One who gave everything so He can enjoy eternal life with me! But I must share this reality with others because Heaven is great news! Jesus’ burden while on this earth was the salvation of others and He said I should trade my burden for His. This means I too must have the salvation of those around me and sharing His love for all as the center of my mission.
    The sun has finally appeared lighting the roof tops of the houses around me. The sky is now a beautiful blue and there is a choir of birds outside greeting the day. The scent of a brand new morning gently makes its way into my office through the open window. I just heard the sound of a car driving in front of the house. My world is slowly waking up and soon I’ll enjoy the blessing of the voices of people I love so much. All I can say is that God is good and I am tremendously blessed! 

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Matthew 11:28-30 

"The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever."

Isaiah 40:8

Things...

   
    This morning I was talking with my mom on the phone and she told me of a dream she had last night. She was doing a yard sale of all her clothes and all her shoes. She was looking at all her stuff and wondered how she was going to sell all those things when a lady came to the house, gathered all the items and said she would pay $5 for each of the clothes and $3 for each pair of shoes. She paid for it all and left with everything. My mom didn't have to worry about it one bit. As my mom shared her dream, we talked about our attachment to things on this earth. We talked about the hours spent at stores looking at stuff just to find a good deal, or see if we found something we liked. So much time and money is spent on things we can’t take with us once we leave this world. Yet we are bombarded daily with the thought that we should buy more, more, and more. Just a little bit ago I checked my email and had a message from a store advertising a preview for their Christmas items. It’s still July!!!
    As we talked, it became more and more evident to me that my mom has lost interest in the things and cares of this life. She shared her thoughts on Jesus, how she loves the sound of water, and how important it is to spend time in nature and with the people we love. Her mind and heart are in Heaven. She’s ready to rest from it all, from all the suffering from the past several months, close her eyes and sleep until Jesus wakes her up to take her home. When our eyes are on Jesus, all the things of earth loose their interest. This is not our home.
    She’s right. When it comes down to what truly matters, things are definitely not it. I don’t think we’ll ever get to the end of our journey on this earth and look back with regret that we didn’t have more stuff. Or that we didn’t fill our schedules with even more things to do.
    After we hung up, I took a hard look at my life, the things I own, my schedule, and how I’m using my God given time. Even though for the past four years I’ve been on a journey to simplify my life in several areas, there is still room for improvement. After a few hours busy with my daily activities, I remembered that I hadn’t spend time outside enjoying my backyard in a long time. I’ve been too busy with the things inside. So I grabbed my supper, came outside, and enjoyed vegetable soup, homemade bread, and a scrumptious dessert of fresh figs while listening to the wind play through the leaves of the trees and the little birds getting food from the feeders. Then I grabbed my computer and decided to write what I had learned today.
    What a blessing my mom is even in her darkest hour. When I told her I shared her love for the sound of water, she said that everytime I hear it, I can remember that she loves it too. I don't think I can ever forget it. Thank you mamã for teaching me what is truly important in life. 

"Do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.  But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you."

Matthew 6:25-33 

Mother's Name

    A few months ago I began reading Genesis and decided to keep on going instead of studying a different book of the Bible here and there. Today I finished reading the books of 1 and 2 Kings. The story of Israel, to me, is a sad one. When God delivered them from slavery in Egypt, the people made a covenant with Him that He would be their God, and they would be His people. What a beautiful promise they made to each other, with a beautiful future ahead as long as both parties kept their part of the promise. Unfortunately, Israel decided to break their promise and follow other gods. But breaking the covenant had consequences, sad and painful consequences, which Israel paid dearly for.
    The two books of Kings describe the generations of royalty that reigned in Israel and Judah. Every time I read about a new king in Israel, I hoped that at least one would do good in God’s eyes, but no. Until the day they were taken captive, not a single king in Israel was good. Judah on the other hand had good kings off and on. Some did right in the eyes of God, others did evil. Maybe that’s why it took longer for them to be taken captive, but even them eventually did.
    An interesting fact about most of the kings of Judah is that not only do we know who their fathers were, but we also know the name of their mothers. Manasseh’s mother was Hephzibah. Hezekiah’s mother was Abijah. Azariah’s mother was Jekoliah, and so forth. Often we know whose daughter the mothers were and where they were from. I found it interesting that the Bible tells who the mothers of these kings were and wondered why.      
    I can’t help to think though, that mothers have an extremely important part in the direction of their children’s lives. The mothers of these kings certainly influenced them for evil or for good. Usually the mother is the main caregiver for the first few months of her baby’s life and the bond formed continues for the rest of that child’s existence. I know that even now as I’m a mom myself, my own mother has an influence on me beyond words. This afternoon I decided to pick up my cello and play a little. One of the songs in my book caught my attention and I started playing it. I recognized the melody and as I played more I began remembering that I had played that same music with my mother years ago. My mind kept traveling to the past, to the many times I played the cello while my mom accompanied me on the piano. She’s so talented. I must say that if I am musical in any way, I owe it to my mom who makes the music she plays on the piano go straight to the heart and soul of her listeners. She’s absolutely incredible on the piano!
    My son often asks why are moms so amazing? I smile and hug him, but I have to agree. Moms are pretty special. Mine is going through probably the most difficult trial of her life. Her energy and strength have diminished considerably and she spends most of her days resting in bed. However, even in this most still and difficult stage of her life she’s been an incredible blessing to me. Her inner strength has been an inspiration and I get motivated to be better myself. Her love for her God, humility, and subjection to His will are simply amazing. She’s not worried, but is resting in His plan for her life. I wonder how she can do that at such a difficult time for her, but I know it all stems from the relationship she’s had with God all her life. He’s been there for her before, and is ever so near now too. What a blessing for me to witness this. What an encouragement in my own walk with Christ. I am blessed beyond words. I know I don’t deserve it, but I am so, so incredibly grateful for the mother God gave me.
    If you are a mother, remember that you are extremely important in the present and in the future of your child’s life. Whatever you do today will affect their tomorrow. They have the freedom to choose, but you have a great influence in whether they choose good or evil. And if you have a mother, treasure the amazing woman God placed in your life to guide you and love you. Make sure she knows how much you love her too! She’s not perfect, but she is a gift from God to you.

"Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her"

Proverbs 31:28

"As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you."

Isaiah 66:13

Champions of Faith

Hebrews 11 is often called the chapter of faith. Biblical heroes who followed God faithfully are mentioned as the great champions of faith. Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Sarah, Joseph, Rahab, Samuel, David and so many more lived a life longing for that Promised Land they knew one day would be theirs. They all died without having had received the things promised, but their eyes and heart were “longing for a better country, a heavenly one.” vs. 16.

Reading these stories is easy to think that life can turn out pretty good when one has faith. Jesus said that if we have faith as small as a mustard seed we’ll be able to move mountains. Matthew 17:10 And if we believe in Him, we can do all the works He did and even greater. John 14:12. Truly, with God all things are possible! Matthew 19:26. Hebrews 11 goes on to say that these heroes, through faith, “conquered kingdoms, administered justice, shut the mouths of lions, quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword. They became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies. Women received back their dead, raised to life again.”

Wow!!! Faith is amazing! What incredible things we can do when we put our dependence on God. Just look at Jesus’ life and the miraculous healings that happened to those who had faith!

We are left to wonder though how faith works when things don’t go well, when the sick are not healed, when loved ones die after much praying, and when life is so difficult that we don’t know if we can go on any longer. Some people live a life of misery from the moment they are born. How come they are not delivered from their trials? Perhaps, as I’ve been told, they don’t have enough faith.

Hebrews 11 however, paints a bigger picture of faith. Among all the heroes of faith, all the amazing stories we so much cherish, the author of this book includes those in verses 35-38. Why, oh why did he have to include these? Those who were tortured, who faced jeers and floggings, chains and imprisonment, who were killed by stoning, by the sword, or who were sawed in two are included in  Hebrews 11, the great chapter of faith. People who were mistreated, persecuted, and rejected are also commended for their faith. vs 39.

What does this all mean? Does this mean that faith is not what makes my life great and powerful? Of course it is, but in a much broader sense of the word. Faith, as Hebrews describes it, “is being sure of what we hope for.” All these heroes, those with a easier life and those with very difficult existences, were hoping for the same heavenly country, and lived their lives according to that hope. So faith is not an assurance of a problem-free life. Faith is dependence on God wherever life may take me. Hebrews 12 concludes this beautifully. “And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” vs 1. We each were given a journey to take while on this earth. For some the journey is smoother than for others, but whatever the path, lets us walk it with perseverance. How can we do that? Obviously not on our own. I don’t think I could endure much persecution on my own strength. What we must do, all we have to do, is to fix our eyes on Jesus. vs 2. He is the One who will give us everything we need for us to run with perseverance the race marked out for us. It is only with our eyes on Him that we won’t grow weary and lose heart.

The journey set before me has not always been easy. As I write this, I see someone I love very much walk through the valley of the shadow of death and that shadow affects me too. It’s a difficult walk. I’ve been tempted with discouragement because I have not seen the miraculous healing I’ve been praying for. I wondered if my relationship with Christ is not strong enough and my faith is even smaller than a mustard seed. God in His mercy and love led me to Hebrews 11 and to see my experience in a fresh way. Faith is needed even when things don’t go as I wish. In fact, it takes a lot of faith to keep focus on the things promised and not lose heart, become discouraged, or abandon everything when life is pressing us from every side. All I need to do however, is to fix my eyes on Jesus. That word "fix" means that He has my full and undivided attention. From personal experience, my struggles are so much easier to bear whenever my focus is on Jesus.

Whatever the journey you’re on right now, look on to Jesus. Fix your eyes on Him. Don’t look anywhere else. Don’t look at yourself, your friends, self-help books, spiritual leaders, or even your problems. Your eyes must be on the only One who can give you everything you need to run the race with endurance without growing weary or losing heart. And always longing for that better country, a heavenly one, that has been promised to us.

"He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary and young men stumble and fall, but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles, they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”
Isaiah 40: 29-31

Healing the Country

Oh there you go, the Bible being all interesting and amazing again. It’s just incredible to notice the well of treasures one can find when reading this book. Simply amazing. This time the Bible gave me a little insight into politics. Yup, politics! Something that seems to be in the minds of many people around the world these last few months.

It all began when I decided to read Genesis a few months ago and this week I got to the book of Judges. My husband often says he’s surprised Hollywood hasn’t picked up the book of Judges for some of their movies. Just this morning I read about a left-handed man who killed a very obese king, so much so that the knife disappeared in all the fat in his belly. Yes, that’s a Bible story! However, there are so many amazing things to be learned from so many of these strange stories, even politics. For example, after the generation of Israelites that had left Egypt and experienced the 40 years in the wilderness had died, the new generation of God’s people forgot who God was. They went after other gods and did detestable things in God’s eyes. When their life was pretty miserable and they couldn’t take it anymore, the Israelites cried out to God who sent someone to rescue them. Thus the story of the left-handed man and the obese king. This pattern of leaving God, making a huge mess of their lives, crying out for help, and being rescued continues throughout the book.

As I read some of those words this morning I started thinking how wonderful it is that God listens to our cries for help and rescues us from our awful decisions. But as I started thinking deeper, I began to realize that even though that is true in my personal life, the story is also about a whole nation who would leave God until they realized life was so much better when they followed Him. At the end of these stories the Bible states how many years of peace Israel would experience as long as they were faithful to the God who had brought them out of miserable slavery.

Hmmm… could it be that here is the solution for the political confusion that is going on in our world at the moment? As I pondered this thought, another Bible verse came to my mind. “if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14.

If my people..pray…heal their land… these words have been heavy in mind ever since. Putting it all together, I believe this is what God wants from His people. More than anything, He wants us to come to Him even for a solution to the problems in our world. It seems that we can exercise liberally our freedom of speech by arguing our opinions until we loose sleep, friends, and even family, but nothing will truly change until we, as a people of God, humbly seek Him for help. The Bible is not saying that politicians need to pray, or others need to pray and turn from their wicked ways. No! God’s people, those who are called by His name, are the ones who need to pray and change. Humbly.

I haven’t read any news for a few weeks now, and my life has been much calmer because of it, but even without news, it’s easy to notice the political turmoil going around. I want to do my part in seeking the only One who can truly heal the land. Will you join me? 

"...if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land."

2 Chronicles 7:14

Urban Morning Walk

As I went to the mailbox to pick-up the mail from the day before, I felt compelled to dress a little warmer and go for a walk around the neighborhood. I’d been staying indoors quite a bit, and was beginning to feel slight indications that cabin fever was weighing down on me. After getting the bottle of vitamin D3 out of the cabinet and swallowing a couple of pills down, I got dressed and went for a walk. I thought I was just going for a quick walk and quickly come back home to start working on my never ending to do list, but I ended up going on a longer expedition.

As I was passing underneath a tree I noticed a tiny nest and decided

that on my way back I would take a picture of it. I ended up taking lots of
pictures, because there were so many interesting things to see and explore. You see, when we truly pay attention there are many wonderful things just around us. Little birds were jumping from tree to tree with their little morning chirps. Since it’s Winter, their songs are soft and not the full operettas they sing during the Spring and Summer. A raven followed me for a while from rooftop to rooftop letting out loud kraas. I wasn’t sure if he was laughing at me or making sure I knew he was the king of the roofs. A mourning dove let go of a soft coo from the top of a chimney. Birds are so cute!

A bush dressed in dry winter berries greeted me beside the sidewalk. Small pine cones were quietly sleeping the winter away at the end of their tree branches. An empty playground stood lifeless in a neighborhood park and a man played with his dog on the wet grass. There’s an evergreen in that park that its perfume always takes me back to many years ago walking in the pinewood forests of Portugal. A hawk threatened by my proximity flew away and landed on top of a satellite dish. I went after it for a picture. :)  

It had rained. The air was cool and crisp. The ground was wet and the sun shyly shone behind the passing clouds. 

The mountains in the distance were mysteriously hidden in a thick envelope of clouds. What a beautiful morning!

 

Coming back home, I made sure to stop by the tree with the tiny nest. A closer look revealed that there were actually three tiny nests. Empty humming bird nests that reminded me of busy times past. A few steps further though, a robin let go of a funny laughter, telling me that this quietness and stillness of winter will soon give way to the busyness of Spring. I better enjoy Winter as much as I can!

 "How great are your works, LORD, how profound your thoughts!"

Psalm 92:5

Spring is coming!

The sun was shinning beautifully. It was nice after so many cloudy days to see and feel the sunshine. Getting ready to go out the door in the morning, I quickly rolled up the sleeves of my denim shirt. It felt like Spring! Inside me I could slightly feel that happy feeling that Spring always brings. I know it is still Winter and will be for a few more weeks, but I could feel the excitement of Spring just around the corner. As I got in the car and drove down my neighborhood I saw a robin perched on top of a tree soaking up the sun. Robins winter in the south, but I hadn’t seen one in several weeks, so I was excited. When living in Alaska, seeing a robin after a long, cold, and dark winter, was reason for celebration! This morning truly felt like Spring! As I kept driving, another robin flew just in front of the car. As I was talking with my son about it, he noticed another robin, and then we saw another, and another, and yet another! It was as if promises that Spring will come were everywhere!

It made me think of how I feel when I read my Bible. We live in a bad, sinful world. Life in this planet is cold and dark. But the Bible is full of promises of better days to come. As I open those pages, I read promise after promise after promise that “winter” won’t last forever, and “spring” is just around the corner. Talk about reasons to celebrate! A better life, filled with the light and the warmth of God’s Son, is certain. I may have to go through difficult times here, but I know those won't last forever. Soon I’ll enjoy the beauty of eternal life with my Savior for ever. Just can’t wait!

The beautiful morning sun is now once again hiding behind dark gray clouds. It’s still Winter. But the promises of Spring received from all the little robins I saw this morning give me hope and assurance that beautiful weather full of sunshine, warmth, and colors is just around the corner!

"Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the old heaven and the old earth had disappeared."

Revelation 21:1

“Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also."

John 14:1-3 

Taking Over the World!

So many have dreamed of taking over the world. History is filled with stories of the great soldiers, conquerors, and dreamers, who have gone through great lengths to conquer and rule the world. And many joined these dreamers in achieving their goals. It’s never a one person effort. It takes a team. It always takes a team.
As I read the book of Numbers in the Bible, I too began to share the dream of taking over the world. No, I have no desire in ruling this earth, but I know someone who does and would be great at it! You see, Numbers 21:23-26 tells the story of a time when the Israelites were wandering in the desert when they came upon Amorite territory. The Amorites weren’t very thrilled about the people of Israel requesting to pass through their territory, so they got their entire army together to fight the Israelites. It didn’t go very well for the Amorites, and the people of Israel ended up taking over the land.

As I read this, all of a sudden I had a vision of taking over the land too, but not by war or by sword. I started to envision what would it be like if love took over the world! What would the world look like? Well, what is love? I think if we answer that question, we will know what a world filled with love would look like. There is a beautiful answer for this question in the Bible.

“Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails.”
I Corinthians 13:4-8

Wow! Love is definitely not selfish. Can you imagine a world where people think of others’ happiness before their own? A world where we want others to feel valued and valuable? A world where we use things, but never people? What do you think our countries would be like if our governments were motivated by love? What about our schools? And our churches?

This dream is possible, and I know someone who many years ago began a revolution of love: God. It began when He created this beautiful world and even after we decided to do things our way and messing up pretty bad, God has continued His revolution of love through His Son Jesus. It’s a beautiful dream and I want to be a part of it. It does take a team to take over the world with love though, but I definitely have my part in my own little part of the world. It begins by loving my family, my neighbors, and my friends. It begins by looking for the needs of others before my own. It begins by wanting to make those who I come in contact with feel valued and valuable. I know from experience that I’m always happier when I strive to make others happy. And as we each do our part wherever we have been planted, we can soon take over the land with love. What an amazing dream! I want to encourage you to read I Corinthians 13:4-8 and begin this love revolution where you are, today!

Trust me

A few days ago I found myself telling my son the same words I heard from my father several years ago. We were talking about Christmas, presents, and wish lists when I finally told him: “Will you trust me to get you something I believe you’ll like even if it’s not on your wish list?”

Many Christmas ago I was getting very excited about the season and about getting a present I really wanted: a big doll with big beautiful eyes. I dreamed about that doll and imagined myself holding her and playing with her. I really wanted that doll. As Christmas neared and I studied the boxes under the tree, I could tell the doll wasn’t one of the presents. It was a pretty big doll and most of the presents were smaller. One day while I was talking with my father, I mentioned again how much I wanted that doll. He finally said, “well, I can give you the doll or give you what I already bought you.” I got quiet thinking about what he had just said. Now I was curious, but I also wanted that doll. Then my dad said: “ Will you trust me to get you something I believe you’ll like even if it’s not on your wish list?” I gave my dad a big smile, hugged him, and told him that yes, I would trust him. How could I not? He was my dad. He loved me. I knew he would give me something I would enjoy. My problem though is that now it was even harder to wait for Christmas!

After what seemed like an eternity, Christmas Eve arrived and the time to open the presents. Finally my dad picked up a box from under the tree and placed it in my hands. It was my present. I knew it wasn’t the doll, but what could it be? I quickly unwrapped that box and when I finally saw what was inside, my eyes got bigger than the eyes of my desired doll, and my smile almost could not fit my face. My dad had given me a computer! My very first computer. I still remember it well. It consisted of a keyboard that I connected to the TV and a tape player with tapes filled with interesting “apps.” I was overjoyed and got to spend lots of time typing, playing games, and creating my own computer programs. It was so, but so much better than that doll I thought I wanted so bad. I was so glad I had decided to trust my father and wait for what he had for me instead of pressing for what I thought I wanted. What he gave me was way better than what I could ever imagine!

Our Heavenly Father asks the same question to us: “do you trust Me to give you something I know you'll like, even if it's not on your wish list? Will you trust that in my love, I will put in your life only what you would want if you could see it through my eyes?” Matthew 7:11 explains how God gives good gifts to His children. In Malachi 3:10 God asks us to trust Him with everything we have and He will open the floodgates of heaven, pouring unmeasurable blessings upon us. In our human vision, it’s easy to think that what we want is the best for us. However, God wants us to trust Him with all our heart, rest in Him, not pushing our way for what we think is best, but trust that He will always give us what we truly want and need. Will you trust in God? He’s your Father. He loves you. Your true strength comes from fully trusting in Him. (Isaiah 30:15.) And when you experience the results of trusting in God, you will be amazed at how perfect God’s gifts are. They are better than anything you can ever imagine! Then I believe that you too will experience smiles that will barely fit your face. 

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight."

Proverbs 3:5,6

Thankful for the fleas!

https://philmoser.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/ravensbruck-prison.jpg

“Thank you God for the fleas,” said Betsie in her prayer during that first day on Barracks 28. In her book The Hiding Place, Corrie Ten Boom explains how the barracks they were assigned to at the concentration camp during World War II, was infested with fleas. For Corrie, of all the things to be thankful for, a living space infested with fleas was not one of them. However, as time went by, the women living on Barracks 28 learned that the fleas were indeed a blessing as the German soldiers would not dare go inside such a place. The flea infested barracks gave the women the freedom to read Corrie’s little Bible that God that had so miraculously hidden from the Germans. Freedom to read the Bible in a German concentration camp. How grateful they all were for the fleas!

As I was reflecting on the many blessings I am grateful for, I started thinking that the Bible tells us to be thankful in all circumstances. This means I am to be grateful for the good things and for the bad. This is not easy as I don’t like to suffer, but that is what God expects of me. I need to be thankful for the “fleas”.

My mind went back to Corrie and Betsie ten Boom and their attitude of gratitude in a concentration camp. I can’t even imagine how awful that time must have been. Having to be forced to work, not knowing when your last day would be. At any moment the soldiers could come and lead the prisoners to an awful death inside the gas chamber. To find gratitude in the midst of that seems unreasonable, yet they were thankful for the fleas.

What about the apostle Paul when in jail with his companion Silas? They did nothing wrong, but share God’s love with others. Yet jealousy caused the Jews to lead a revolt and Paul and Silas ended up being thrown into jail. At any moment they too could be put to death. Yet in the middle of the night, in that cold prison cell, all they could do was sing praises to God. They were thankful for their “fleas.”

Have you heard of the Waldensian Christians? They were a group of people who remained faithful to the God of the Bible when the rest of the world fought to remain faithful to the traditions of men. Countless of these followers of God were persecuted and brutally murdered. Many escaped and found refuge in the mountains and caves of Italy. While enduring merciless persecution, many are the  accounts of them praising God in the refuge of the mountains. They were thankful for the “fleas.”

Horatio Spafford, the author of the well known hymn “It Is Well With My Soul”, suffered unimaginable loss. While still trying to cope with the pain of his young son’s death, his business suffered tremendously during the great Chicago fire of 1871. Looking for some normalcy to their lives, the Spaffords decided to travel to Europe. Horatio sent his family ahead of him while he remained behind to take care of some business, but the boat in which his family was traveling had an awful accident, and Horatio’s four daughters died. Only his wife survived. It was when traveling to meet his grieving wife, over the waters where his daughters had recently died, that Horatio penned the words to the beautiful hymn. In the middle of unimaginable pain, he was able to be thankful for the “fleas.”

So what “fleas” do you have to be thankful for? I was thinking about events and struggles in my life this past year. Sickness, divorce, death, divisions, families struggling, separation, bullying, and friends turning away from God just to name a few. How can I feel gratitude for the bad things that cause me so much pain and suffering? How in the world can I be thankful for “fleas”? Yet this is what God wants me to do. The only way I can think of is by leaning on the One who told me to trust Him in everything and to be thankful in every circumstance. With Him I can learn to focus on the positive and not on the negative. With Him I can have a peace in the midst of the storm that passes all human understanding. With Him I can learn to fight the battles that surround me. With Him I can overcome temptation. I can walk through the valley of the shadow of death knowing that I am not alone. He’s walking with me. God, who promised me strength, will help me do all things. Even the ones I feel are impossible. Not only is He the Giver of all the good things in my life, but He’s also the One who can work all things, even the bad ones, for my good. Thank you God for the "fleas."

Happy Thanksgiving!

"Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus."

I Thessalonians 5:18

"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”
James 1:17

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
Romans 8:28