More Than the Provisions

As life goes on and I'm Homeward bound, I'm continually thankful for God's provisions.  For one thing, I had an appointment this week with my hematologist and treatment for my blood clot has been very different than it was ten years ago. I haven't had to have shots every day for a week! Sooo thankful for that!

But beyond being thankful for God's myriad provisions, I'm simply thankful for Him. For it is He who provides for my needs. It is His presence that calms my heart in times of anxiety and fear. It is His strength that enables me to take the next step. It is His love that flows through me to love those that I find difficult to even like. It is His forgiveness of my own sins that take root in my heart and pull me away from fellowship with Him. It is His mercy that calls to me and draws me back to Himself. 

It is His creative work that My Beloved and I find so beautiful as we drive through the countryside where the wheat, the corn, the cotton grows, and we view the majestic mountains in the distance. 

It is His church in which we find sweet fellowship. And as our pastor reminded us last evening, it is His Word in which we find delight.

If Your law had not been my delight,

Then I would have perished in my affliction.

Psalm 119:92

Mighty to Save, Out of the Cave or On the Field

As with many of you, I watched the ongoing rescue of the Thai boys soccer team and prayed each day for their safety from the flooded cave. As days went by and the boys began to be carried out and reports told of the miraculous undertaking, it was evident that God was intervening on their behalf.

A news caption read, "A miracle or science, or what?" It was certainly a miracle that everyone got out of the cave when they did, as the water pump failed. It reminded me of the crossing of the Red Sea. When the Israelites had crossed safely to the other side, the water rushed back. But either way, by miracle or the use of science, it was God's doing, by whatever means He chose to save the team.

There were also people praying to the Buddhist rain god, imploring him to "keep showing us mercy," yet the rain itself was the cause of the calamity. Such a god is impotent to help as the ongoing rain kept coming down. No, there needed to be a higher power who could, indeed, have mercy and provide a way of escape. His name is Jehovah, and He worked mightily to rescue and save those twelve boys and their coach.

While Thailand is a land of Buddhism, Jehovah has raised up a Christian witness of His love and Redemptive plan in the locality where the boys live. One of the articles that I read included a poster image showing pictures of the boys and the admonition to "Stay Safe." The caption noted that a local Christian church of relatives and friends had made the poster and were praying for them. Another article mentioned that one of the soccer boys had been taken under the care of the church when he came from Myanmar when he was seven years old.

I googled the church and found Mesai Grace Church in the northern province of Chiang Mai, Thailand, a Christian congregation that is powerfully on the move to rescue Thai boys, not only to save them from the perils of the cave, but to save them from a life of degradation--and using soccer to do it. It's a compelling story of rescue.

How their cave ordeal will affect the boys will be seen as time passes. Surely, Jehovah is calling them to Himself. It is the kindness of God that leads to salvation (Rom. 2:4), and their rescue was certainly by His kindness, His mercy and His grace. I pray that He will continue His work in their hearts and through the Acts of Grace Church there in the city of Chiag Mai.

Jehovah is mighty to save, whether out of the cave or out on the field.

Image via Freepik

Thankful ~ That He Knows How to Rescue

For the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials. 

~ 2 Peter 2:9

He knows how to rescue, yet He also knows that trials strengthen my faith. 

I am thankful that He walks through the trials with me, 

ready to uphold me with His everlasting arms when the rescue is needed.

Painting ~ La Wally, Auguste Raynaud
1845-1887, public domain

So Much Like Me

Time passes slowly in a waiting room. They can be an incubator for anxiety. I was there this morning, and a little girl about four years old was also waiting to see the dermatologist. Apparently, this was her first visit, and she was visibly disturbed about it. Her mommy was telling her not to fret or be upset, that it was going to be okay. But the little girl was worried not knowing what the doctor would do. "You're stressing about nothing. You'll see. You'll be okay. I promise."

My heart went out to this precious little girl because I'm so much like her. I oftentimes stress because I've not passed this way before. I don't always know what's going to happen or how a spot will be diagnosed, and I need reassurance as well. God says He cares for me, to cast my anxiety on Him. Everything is going to be okay. Even if it doesn't feel like it at the moment. Even if it doesn't feel like it later.

I know that this little girl's next visit to the dermatologist will find her much less anxious because today's visit gave her reassurance for the next. Her countenance was very different as she came out of the office to go home. And so it is with faith and anxiety. I can recall God's faithfulness in caring for me in the past and know that whatever happens in the present is ultimately for my good and His glory. Even if it seems grievous at the moment, He will strengthen me in my spirit and I will be the better for it.

It'll be okay. He promises.

Casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.

1 Peter 5:7 

Image ~ Young Mother Sewing

Mary Cassatt, 1844-1926

public domain via WikiArt

Thankful Thursday ~ Caring Doctors

I took my mother and sister to the doctor today and was once again thankful that he is a very caring person. He explains thoroughly what is going on, and my mother says she has learned a lot in a little more than a year that she has been seeing him. He reminds her of one of her favored grandsons. My sister has just recently become his patient, too, but as yet she is rather unsure about him.

My sister has an aversion to doctors and hospitals after a near death experience several years ago, so at the sound of the word hospital she begins to get agitated, to put it mildly. More like hysterical. The word hospital was said today in regard to my mother, and the hysteria started to rouse itself. I was there to take notes, but we decided I should take her out while the doctor talked with Mom.

When we were called back into his office, she was calmed and he began to talk with her in a very caring, cordial manner. My sister is often difficult to understand, but the doctor carried on a productive conversation with her, and she left in pretty good spirits. The hospital is still in Mom's near future, so when that day comes, so will the hysteria. But for now it has been put at rest.

God's grace is sufficient, and there are those He puts in our path through whom His grace flows. I'm thankful for this doctor who told my sister that he is our friend. And I think he truly is.

Image via pixabay

CCO Creative Commons

A Hope That Doesn't Disappoint

Reading through Romans and coming to chapter 5 today, which reminds us that we have peace with God through Jesus Christ. It is through faith in Him that we receive grace upon grace.

As I read, my thoughts go to those in our church family who are suffering. Some with illnesses, some with recent losses of loved ones. Without the peace of God, suffering is a terrible thing to face, yet God's grace enables us to endure and even to exult in our tribulations. Those without faith in God know little of His love and care. One of the blessings of knowing God and being loved through His grace is that we know that He works all things for our good. Even through the suffering and tribulation.

He tells us in His Word that the tribulations we face ultimately bring hope because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit. It is His Spirit that enables us to persevere, to find grace upon grace, to be carried and lifted up by His abundant love.

And so, as His children, we rest in His everlasting arms. Resting, knowing the hope that does not disappoint. Our final hope will find us Homeward. I hope to see you there, dear one, as every tear is wiped away and we exult in past tribulations where hope set us free.

Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God. And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.  (Roman 5:1-5)

Image via pixabay 

Weakness, A Good Thing?

The Nut Gatherers, William Adolphe Bouguereau, 1882

Sometimes we have to be strong for the weak. My sister who lives with my parents is weak mentally from birth complications and needs the strength of her family, those who surround her with love and care.

And we urge you, brothers, ... encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all.  (1 Thessalonians 5:14)

Yet, where do any of us find our strength? I often feel weakness rather than strength. But it is in that very weakness that God gives grace, and His strength is then made manifest.

Acknowledging weakness brings hope. Then we can look beyond ourselves and autonomy. We were created for relationships, to be interdependent on one another. Where I am weak, another is strong. We bring our strengths and weaknesses to one another.

Yet, back to the question... where do any of us find our strength?
My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth. (Psalm 121:2)
For when I am weak, He is strong. (2 Corinthians 12:10)

It is good that His strength is seen through our weakness. Our purpose is to glorify Him, and it is as others see Him at work in us that we glorify the giver of all grace and all strength. For it is in Him that they will find hope and call out for His strength in their own weakness.

My sister struggles in ways others of us in our family do not. But her faith in Jesus is strong, and she is a true prayer warrior for those she loves. I know God will strengthen her with His abundant grace when she needs it most greatly. Our parents are elderly, and I sometimes wonder how she will cope when their final days come. I've seen anxiety and fear arise quickly within her whenever our mother becomes ill. In time, she will need God's strength pouring from His hand through her family to uphold her. I am thankful we can look beyond ourselves in our need.

So you, too, dear one, be strong and of good courage, for the giver of grace and strength is at work in you, if you are one of His children. But if you are not one of His, do seek Him, and you will find Him.  

Seek the Lord while He may be found; Call upon Him while He is near. (Isaiah 56:6)

Painting ~ The Nut Gatherers, William Adolphe Bouguereau, 1882

WikiArt public domain 

A Changed Vantage Point

When my mind begins to spin with anxiety, one of my go-to verses of scripture is Philippians 4:8--Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. Oftentimes this is helpful because, for example, I may be thinking wrong thoughts. I'm imagining things that may not be true about a situation, and my imaginations bring about my anxiety.

But oftentimes, and today was one of those times, there is more that is needful. I could not think my way out of my anxiety. Sometimes when I feel anxious, I need to back up to verses 6-7: Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. There are times when I need to do more than cling to a Bible verse for my anxious thoughts. I need to talk to Father God about it.

I struggled today with something that I was asked to do, a situation that I thought would be stressful. I was anxious and uptight about it. I've been growing some in this area, to just do what needs to be done as if I'm doing it for Jesus, to give that cup of cold water. And I pray and ask God to strengthen me. 

But today he did more than that. He asked me if I would be a willing instrument in his hand to show his loving care to someone, if I would work alongside him to meet that need. That cast an entirely different light on the situation. What a privilege! My thoughts were no longer on what I was about to face, but rather on working alongside Father God. The situation was still somewhat stressful, and I came home tired, but He had changed my vantage point--from mine to his. 

Painting ~ Girl Reading in An Interior, Carl Holsoe 1863-1935

Thankful Thursday

Thankful today for God's blessing and His intervention. We were blessed last weekend with time at a cabin in the Red River Gorge of Kentucky with our daughters and their families. We live so far apart that getting us all together doesn't happen very often, but neither do milestone birthdays. We celebrated My Beloved's over the weekend and then celebrated our Elijah's eighth with a birthday breakfast of happy-face pancakes before we parted ways on Sunday. If you have grandchildren or grandparents living nearby, do be thankful for the blessings of being easily accessible to one another. There are blessings all the way around.

We're also thankful for God's intervention and sparing harm to our daughter and her husband as they were coming to meet us. Pouring rain, interstate driving over Tennessee's mountain curves, hydroplaning, slamming into the guardrail, spinning, slamming into the concrete barrier, coming to a stop in the middle of the highway. Scary stuff, but God intervened by delaying traffic (especially big trucks on the curvy downhill side of the mountain) while a guardian angel helped them get the car out of the driving lanes and directed traffic while they waited for the police. They were accident #8 in a 10-mile stretch within the hour. Shaken up and a broken rib, but they were able to join us the next day.

Thankful for what we receive and what we miss. Both were blessings.

Thankful Thursday ~ For God's Intervention

This time last week things were not looking very good for my mother. Chest pressure, runaway heartbeat, climbing blood pressure. So the ambulance was called around bedtime, and she was taken to the ER. She had been in and out of the hospital a few times recently with stoke-like symptoms and atrial fibrillation, but this night was to be more alarming. While in the ER, her blood pressure and pulse began to drop dangerously low, and the staff prepared for an emergency cardioversion.

My sister had gone home to get a bag for spending the night with Mom, not realizing things were getting as serious as they were. Upon arriving, she found the ER staff hastily working with Mom. After a few moments, she was asked to leave the room, and as she did she offered a simple prayer for God to spare our mother, yet for his will to be done. At that very moment, Mom's blood pressure and pulse returned to normal, just as the shock was about to be given. God had intervened.

Mom is not afraid of death. Indeed, she is looking forward to seeing her heavenly Father. Sometimes He chooses to intervene in the natural processes of our physical body; sometimes He doesn't. His ways are not our ways; His thoughts are not our thoughts. For whatever His reason or purpose last week in giving Mom more days on this earth, we are thankful.

To God be the glory, great things He has done!

When God Confronts Me

As I was out with my sister to a medical appointment today, I began thinking about her life-long dependence on her family. My sister has been mentally impaired and has had a speech impairment since birth. Oxygen deprivation. She lives with our parents and depends on others of us to help her with certain things in life. Things that most of us take for granted, like driving ourselves to the doctor. Like choosing who our doctor will be. Like making our own appointments. Like deciding what day we would even prefer to go. But she cannot make these decisions or go anywhere unless we help her. I think that's why she walks twice a day in our little neighborhood where everyone knows her. She can go by herself, go when she wants to go, and greet the neighbors that she meets.

I often wonder where she would go outside the neighborhood if she could just up and go. Sometimes one of us will ask her to go shopping, maybe just to look at the pretty things and have lunch out, just to give her an opportunity to get out and about. Sometimes she mentions that she 'needs' something. Sometimes she hints that she 'still has her money'. But I've never heard her ask if anyone will take her anywhere.

She is dependent on those who love her. She is dependent on our care for her. Dependent on the God-given grace in our own lives to look beyond ourselves and see her needs.

And that's when God confronts me. To look beyond myself, where I too often focus.

So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, 

put on a heart of compassion, kindness, 

humility, gentleness and patience  

~ Colossians 3:12

Painting ~ Never Mind, Frederick Morgan 1827-1947

Every. Day. Grace.

Your worst days are never so bad that you are beyond the reach of God's grace. And your best days are never so good that you are beyond the need of God's grace. Every day of our Christian experience should be a day of relating to God on the basis of His grace alone.

Jerry Bridges

The Discipline of Grace: God's Role and Our Role in the Pursuit of Holiness

Painting, Anne Boleyn in the Tower 1835, Edouard Cibot 1799-1877

God's Faithful Care

For the past few days I've been especially reminded why we chose to move here. I've been with my mother as she's been in and out of the hospital again, helping with things that come as a result. Taking her to the doctor again tomorrow.

I am sometimes discouraged (as I know she is as well), but then God reminds me that I am an instrument in His hands as He cares for my mother. And as a friend commented to me recently, I am also gaining much from this season myself. I haven't been ill very often throughout my life, and the familiarity with doctors and processes that I'm experiencing now will benefit me and calm fears that may lie ahead of me. It's helping me to understand how it is to grow old, for I may be 86 some day myself.

In His faithful care, God is taking care of Mom. But also in His faithful care, He continues to show me my own heart. Some of it I don't like. There are moments when I struggle with self-focus, both hers and mine. I want to walk in a manner worthy of God's calling, but it's only by His strength that I can do so. So I ask Him to help me respond appropriately, to do what needs to be done, and to have wisdom and joy in doing it. That He may be glorified, and His loving care be made known.

We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, 

which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

Ephesians 2:10

Thankful for the Reprieve

Thankful for the change in administration today. 

Hope rises as we cling to freedom of religion and freedom from oppression. 

Freedom of speech breathes in fresh air.

Relief from political correctness.

Thankful for the reprieve. 

Thankful for those of His children who have prayed. 

Who have asked God for His mercy and grace.

And for those who now have positions of influence.

Praying for their wisdom and actions that spring from its waters.

Praying for our President.

And for all....

Wisdom, stamina, safety.

May God's grace and mercy rest upon them.

To God be the glory! Great things He has done!

Should I Be Troubled At That?

Contemplating a thought from today's reading from the book, None But Jesus. I have long prayed. I have waited. I have been troubled, yes, ... but perhaps I shouldn't be.

It would much stay the heart under adversity to consider that God, by such humbling providences may be accomplishing the thing for which you have long prayed and waited. And should you be troubled at that? By such humbling and impoverishing strokes, God may be fulfilling thy desire.    

~ John Flavel

Painting ~ Miss Auras, John Lavery 1856-1941

Crossing Paths Again

I was talking with a friend recently about our upcoming move, and she commented that I probably would miss running into friends while out and about shopping and such. Yes, that I will miss. A friend that I hadn't seen for several years came into the restaurant where we were eating on Sunday. It was so good to catch up with how things are going with her and then hug goodbye. Then we ran into one of My Beloved's friends yesterday, and they talked for awhile.

Today a friend that I haven't seen for many, many years crossed my path at the grocery store. I was ever so glad that I didn't go shopping yesterday as is my usual routine. I would have missed a wonderful, timely blessing. 

She has been taking care of her 95-year-old mother who has had Alzheimer's for eleven years, staying at her mother's home and keeping it up for her since it was familiar to her, tending to her flowers, planting some zucchini, keeping things as best she can as her mother knew them. My friend has had shoulder replacements and has difficulty moving one arm, so her son helps with getting his grandmother in and out of bed and tending to some basic needs, while his little 3-year-old plays and brings joy to Great-Grandma, sitting on her lap and talking to her. Before caring for her mother, my friend had taken care of her father for three years before he passed on. Before that she and her husband had brought someone into their own home that they had met while camping and was caregiver to her, and before that they had brought a friend of their son's into their home and had taken care of him for three years. Sad to say, though, her adult daughter's life is a mess. She has a lot that could depress her.

But in the midst of it all, my long-time friend is a joy-filled woman. She says that some people tell her that she should put her mother in a care home. "What?!" she says, "And miss all of the love and joy I've had over these years with her? Memories I will cherish forever?!" We had a wonderful conversation about God's abundant grace and how His mercies are new every morning. Grace and mercy that she may never have known except for the difficulties and challenges of life. His grace is truly sufficient. And His love abounds.

Father God knew that my friend and I needed that conversation today. He planned it that way...for both of us, for our paths to cross once again. For her, because she doesn't get out much to talk to people. For me, because I was discouraged after listening to My Beloved's friend yesterday talk about all he is doing--writing books, speaking several times a week in different locations, visiting in nursing homes, overseeing a chaplains' group, and how so many people are so glad that he's doing what he's doing. And on and on. I came away from that conversation feeling like I wasn't doing much of anything that really mattered. Does anyone even read my little blog posts?

Then I look up today across the rows of produce, and there's my friend from long ago. And God uses that encounter to remind me that there are a gazillion ways to do good and to bring Him glory. And that what I do does matter....to Him and to others.

Long-time friends pick up where they left off. So we hugged goodbye and said that we were so glad we ran into each other today, that both of us needed that conversation, and that if we don't see one another again here, we'll look for each other up there. And please give your mama a hug for me.

So, dear one, keep looking upward and homeward, where blessings abound and God's mercies are new every morning. And remember that what you are doing today matters. A lot.

Painting ~ The Day's Catch, Daniel Ridgway Knight 1839-1924
Wiki Commons public domain

What Does He Call Me?

Continuing to read through the New Testament chronologically. Coming today to the Good Shepherd passage and sharing a thought.

I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. He who is a hireling and not a shepherd, who is not the owner of the sheep beholds the wolf coming and leaves the sheep, and the wolf snatches them, and scatters them. He flees because he is a hireling, and is not concerned about the sheep. I am the good shepherd and I know My own, and My own know Me. ~ John 10:11-14

I've often wondered why pastors sometimes refer to themselves as shepherds/under-shepherds of the flock. Most pastors move on for one reason or another, and the sheep are left to find themselves a new shepherd. The analogy of a pastor/shepherd fails at this point. Sheep don't do that.

The sheep are of Jesus' flock, not a man's flock. The Good Shepherd never leaves us nor forsakes us. Jesus isn't a hireling. He doesn't take a more prestigious position. He doesn't go to more spiritual greener grass. He doesn't go where the pay is better.  He doesn't flee the wolves. He laid down his life. Only He did that. Only He could do that.

I am the good shepherd; and I know My own, and My own know Me, even as the Father knows Me and I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep.

Jesus knows each of His sheep and calls us by name. Some pastors can't do that.

... the sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name...
                                               ~ John 10:3

In the Bible, names had more meaning than they do today. Some names were changed at conversion to reflect some characteristic of the person. I wonder if Jesus is calling me "Vickie," or if He's calling me by a name that relates some meaning to me? I don't really need to know the name He calls me, because I answer to His voice. He speaks through the Word, the Scriptures.

But it would be awesome to know what name He has chosen, and why. I wonder what name He has written down for me in the Lamb's Book of Life? Anticipating knowing!

If you're unfamiliar with Jesus and have just a few minutes, you can listen in at True Woman to learn more about the gospel of Jesus Christ.

I hope you know His voice. Would love to see you over there.

Painting ~ Girl Reading in a Sunlit Room, Carl Vilhelm Holsoe
Wiki Gallery public domain

The View We Need ~ From the End of the Platform

Sharing a bit from my morning devotional reading from
Knowing God Through the Year, J.I. Packer.

York Station

"If you stand at the end of the platform at York Station, you can watch a constant succession of engine and train movement that, if you are a railway enthusiast, will fascinate you. But you will only be able to form a rough idea of the overall plan.

"If, however, you are privileged to be taken into the magnificent electrical signal box that lies athwart platforms seven and eight, you will see a diagram of the entire track layout for five miles on either side of the station. At once you can look at the situation through the eyes of those who control it. You will see why this train is diverted from its normal running line and that one parked temporarily in a siding.

"Some people feel that if they were really walking close to God, so that he could impart wisdom to them freely, then they would find themselves in the York Station signal box. We might suppose that the gift of wisdom consists in an ability to see why God has done what he has done in a particular case and to see what he is going to do next. But in truth this view would be more than our human minds could comprehend. God gives us the view that we need--from the end of the platform."

J.I. Packer ~ Knowing God Through the Year

New Joys to Fill Empty Hands

Fishin' with Grandpa ~ Jorgen Sorenson

This week has seen three funerals related to our church family. Loved ones are gone, and there is much sorrow. Miles separate many who came together for just a few days to comfort one another. I think especially of the young fella of about ten or eleven years of age who came halfway across the country to play his mandolin for his grandfather's funeral. With our pastor accompanying on the guitar, he played strong and clear, playing for the memory of his dear grandpa who loved to play the guitar himself. Perhaps they'd played together just like this on summer visits. Undoubtedly, they'd gone fishing because his grandpa loved fishing, too. Before the funeral was over, the young fella was weeping on his own father's lap.

Death brings sorrow that lingers. Blessings have gone away, yet God is preparing other joys. J.R. Miller offers comfort in that thought..........

"Sorrow makes deep scars; indeed, it writes its record ineffaceably on the heart which suffers. We really never get over our deep griefs; we are really never altogether the same after we have passed through them—as we were before.

"We should remember that the blessings which have gone away are not all that God has for us. This summer's flowers will all fade by and by, when winter's cold breath smites them—we shall not be able to find one of them in the fields or gardens during the long, cold, dreary months to come—yet we shall know all the while that God has other flowers preparing, just as fragrant and as lovely as those which have perished. Spring will come again, and under its warm breath the earth will be covered once more with floral beauty as rich as that which faded in the autumn. So the joys that have gone from our homes and our hearts—are not the only joys. God has others in store just as rich as those we have lost, and in due time he will give us these to fill our emptied hands."

~ J.R. Miller
Grace Gems

Thankful Today Didn't Happen Yesterday

 Today was one of those days that I'm thankful didn't happen yesterday. 

Yesterday
I spent the afternoon chasing down some more fabric --

 down the interstate about 30 miles, stopping here and there. 

Today
The transmission went out on the car 

as we were heading over to the church for my home school class. 

If today had been yesterday,
I would have been driving alone. 

If today had been yesterday,
I would have been stranded somewhere down the road. 

If today had been yesterday,
I would have had to call the wrecker...

and ride in the wrecker.

But God, in His providential care, let today happen today instead of yesterday. 

Today my beloved was driving. 

 God's mercies are new every morning.

Lamentations 3:23

Painting ~ Kids and Puppy by David Lindsley