Wednesday, July 27, 2016

My eyes never left you – not for a moment.

We went to a water park with our children and grandchildren this summer.  There were 16 of us.  I was extremely thankful that all my children were swimmers--but the majority of the grandchildren were not!

I have a very healthy respect for activities in and around the water.  Okay, maybe I'm a bit over protective to the point of needing to watch everyone's children.   Twice I asked children, "Where is your adult?"  


People-watch your children at the pool.

Okay, I'm back.

 During our pool time, I was left in charge of one of my grandchildren.  I told the parents, "Don't worry I'll watch her."  (In the photo she's the one clutching the side of the pool.)

I watched as she ventured away from me.  My eyes never left her--not for a moment.  However, she suddenly realized that she had lost sight of me.  I hadn't moved, but she did. 

 I watched the expression on her face change from happy exploration--to concern--almost panic.  Her eyes darted quickly from adult to adult.

Then she saw me. 

I smiled at her. 

The worry immediately faded away.  Reassured and safe she returned to stomping on the water-pads. 

As an adult, I've felt that same fear creep in.  Suddenly I felt unsure, fearful or alone.  I needed the reassurance that my Heavenly Father's eyes were still on me.  I needed to know that I hadn't strayed from His sight.

As long as I live, I hope I never forget either of the expressions I saw that day on my granddaughter's face.  In a instance there was worry then peace.

It was a lesson worth sharing.  When we connect with Him--fear is replaced with peace.  God's eyes never leave us--not for a moment. 


Whatever the situation we are facing--HE sees.

HE's there when we're lonely.

HE's there when we're hurting.

HE's there when we're discouraged.

HE's even there when we are tiptoeing into sin.

Be assured HIS eyes have never left you--not for a moment.  He protectively watches over His children.

Job 34:21 in the New King James Version says this, "For His eyes are on the ways of man, and He sees all his steps."

Sweet Peace awaits all who made eye contact with Him.  His eyes have never left me or you--not for a moment.

Wednesday, July 20, 2016

Anticipation



Many years ago when our children were small, we had this little game we played to help accelerate a much desired but months away activity, such as, a vacation to Disney World or a trip to visit family in the United States. (This was when we lived in the Philippines.)   

If the thing that we anticipated was months away, we’d look at the calendar and say, “Well, you really can’t count the month of October because that's Dad's birthday and Halloween.  Can't count November because that’s my birthday(This is true you have 20 shopping weeks left!) Also that lesser known holiday called Thanksgiving, and we can’t count December because that's Christmas...”  

We’d mentally check off the months, weeks and finally days that led up to the much anticipated event.  After the calendar review we’d declare, “We’re going to Disney World, TOMORROW!”  …when actually, the event was still 10-months away.  The anticipation helped the time pass with excitement.  

If you grew-up in the church during the 1960’s, 70’s or 80’s, you probably remember a similar anticipation; it was the highly anticipated return of Christ and the excitement of a place being prepared for us in heaven.  We sang songs about it, talked about it, looked at the signs of the times and anticipated the Lord's return.    

When I left the altar of my youth on most Sunday nights, the anticipation was similar to that little game we played with our children.   All the boxes were checked off and…Christ was coming-THAT VERY NIGHT.  I believed it could be that very night.

Hebrews 10:23-25 (MSG)  Let’s keep a firm grip on the promises that keep us going. He always keeps his word. Let’s see how inventive we can be in encouraging love and helping out, not avoiding worshiping together as some do but spurring each other on, especially as we see the big Day approaching

This I know…Christ is coming and when He comes…I want to be ready!  There is a stirring in my heart with anticipation!

Wednesday, July 13, 2016

When I Knew It Was Love

September 6, 1975


The beginning of my senior year in high school, I said—goodbye to a very special boyfriend who was leaving for another year of Bible College in Ellendale, North Dakota.  We wouldn’t see each other until Christmas.   

This was nothing new—we’d done the goodbye thing before.  This was his 2nd year of college.  However, this time something had changed.  There was an emptiness I felt, that I hadn’t experienced before.   

The next day I went to school and then to work.  The cute guy in the photo was never far from my thoughts.  While at work, during a break, I took out pen and paper and began writing a letter (remember those).  

A few lines into that letter something happened.  I had never felt anything like it before.  I stopped writing, my thoughts turned to (my now husband), I felt a little pricking in the area of my heart.  It wasn’t exactly painful, but different.  Then a sudden loss swept over me at the realization of separation from the one—I just realized I LOVED!  

I’d said the words to him before, “I love you.”  And I believed that I did love him, but now I knew.  This was the day when I knew it was love.  I remembered his kindness, his commitment to serve the Lord and I wanted to be where he was.  

I never would have guessed that just one year later we would be making a commitment to live out our lives together as man and wife.  That was over 40 years ago.

Guess what?  My husband wasn’t my first love.  

SHOCKING! 

There’s another love in my life and I remember when I knew it was love.  The same thing happened.  I wanted to be with Him.  I wanted to feel Him near me.  I wanted to speak my love to Him.  I felt His kindness toward me and I knew it was love.  

Mark 12:30-31 in the Living Bible says this about God’s two most important commandments.  And you must love him with all your heart and soul and mind and strength.  The second is: You must love others as much as yourself.’ No other commandments are greater than these.”

Do you remember when you knew it was love?   

Wednesday, July 6, 2016

Shut The Door

We've had our 8 grandkids with us off and on for over a week.  Five of them staying in our house and the other three coming to visit.  It's been a wonderful time, however, it is summer and I realized there is a phase I have repeated far more than any other. 

  • It's not, "I love you."--which I do love them--passionately. 
  • It's not, "You are the cutest thing on two feet."-- Which is a known FACT.
  • It's not, "Are you hungry?"--I'm a grandma--enough said.   
 Nope none of the above.

My most used phase this summer has been...

"Shut the door."  (Never yelled, but said in the kindest of ways!)

In fact, I just said it a few minutes age...repeatedly...and as the words came out of my mouth, yet again, God dropped a thought into my heart, and lucky you--I'm gonna share.

There are occasions in life when all of us are like my grandkids--leaving open doors behind us.  Spiritually speaking we may call these open doors...attacks of the enemy, giving Satan a foothold or dabbling in sin.  Whatever we choose to call "the open door"...God wants us to know that what he did for Noah in the Ark, he'll do for us.  (Gen. 7:16)  Noah couldn't shut the door of the Ark without God.  You need help shutting that door--the door guard awaits.  

Ask Him!  And ask Him often for help.

Isaiah 30:18 in the Living Bible says this, Yet the Lord still waits for you to come to him so he can show you his love; he will conquer you to bless you, just as he said. For the Lord is faithful to his promises. Blessed are all those who wait for him to help them.

He wants to protect and keep his children safe.  He loves us and wants to bless.  He wants us to call him in our time of need. 

This Grandma has said multiple times this summer "Shut the door"  and now every time I say these three simple words I'll remember the Lord is saying to all of us--"you need help shutting that door--just ask."   

Book Release

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