Oh Well... Spinning Pupa or Cracked Cocoon?

                                             ^"By faith the walls of Jericho fell down,

after they were compassed about

seven days." (Hebrews 11:30 KJV)

 Giving up can be a huge temptation.  I often feel that little tap on my shoulder, so to speak, to just throw in the towel when something is very difficult and my energies are expended.  My mind wants to say, "Oh, well."   I feel like I have done all that I can do.  But something beautiful can come out of that.  I can allow Him to give me strength to do more - to reach the goal at hand.

A sweet friend gave me Lineage of Grace by Francine Rivers for my birthday.  I have been so encouraged by the elaborated stories of the women within the lineage of Christ.  Seeing them in this narrative has been such a blessing. 

I was reading Rahab's story this week, and last night the fall of Jericho was described.  My husband and I pulled out the Bible to compare it with the description there.  The narrative story and dialogue was mirrored in the Word.  It is amazing what detail the Lord gave to His people.  Their obedience was necessary to accomplish a transformation within the walls of their hearts as well as a total change in the walls of Jericho.  It resulted in obliteration of a people and mindset that stood in  the way of the promise and God's will for the land.  Only those, Rahab and her family, that had a heart for the Father's will were spared.

This week butterflies are fluttering about here and there.  I so enjoy stopping to take a peek at their wings to see which kind has visited my yard or the place that  I am visiting that day.  Their presence has encouraged me to allow the Father to continue the work in me.  He works with us in seasons.  A time of crawling around and munching on whatever truth we can grab is usually followed by a season of rest.  Within the walls of our 'skin', heat and movement create beauty.

To further explain that last statement, a caterpillar actually...long story short...turns itself inside out and liquefies its insides to create a chrysalis.  It is fascinating to watch on film.  When I was teaching fifth grade in Louisiana, my sweet Em brought us a massive cocoon.  I had never seen one so large.  It was about the size of two of my thumbs put side by side and a little longer.  We put it in a jar and waited.  The cocoon never moved, that we could see, but we started hearing 'swishing' noises.  Sometimes they were so loud that it interrupted class.  There was huge movement inside the cocoon.  That little caterpillar surrendered its insides to its Maker, and then it danced until the Designer said the transformation was complete.

Em was so excited about the noise, that she continue to ask me to look inside.  I wish now that I would have made her wait, but we learned something by her investigation.  She had to keep trying different tools until she found one to work.  Finally she was able to crack the cocoon open, and the movement inside of it came to a halt.  She was disappointed to see just a bunch of dry, brown mush.  The transformation was not complete.  We needed to wait longer. 

An enough is enough attitude is not what gets us all the way around the walls of our city.  What if the Israelites had not obeyed their fast of silence or decided seven days was too much?  The men had just been circumcised and were not feeling very well.  They could have said they refused because they didn't quite feel like themselves.  How long it must have taken on that seventh day to march around seven times!  They persevered and found strength in the Lord. 

"I press on toward the goal

to win the prize

for which God

has called me heavenward

 in Christ Jesus."

 (Phil. 3:14 NIV)

'Oh well' and 'Good Enough' will not get us to victory.  When we persevere, we find delight.  I will not quit today and throw away the things in my hand.  I will march around and around and shout!
What will you do today?  Share your insights on perseverance with us.



He Grabs My Hand

Yesterday, my three year old daughter was walking behind me on a sidewalk at a school.  I knew she was following me, but I wanted her closer to me.  I wanted to touch her.  I put my hand behind me and continued to walk forward.  When she did not grab my hand right away, I looked back at her to see if she saw me reaching for her.  When I realized that she was looking around and not at my hand, I turned around and gently took her hand and we walked together.

Immediately, I was reminded of how the Heavenly Father does that for us.  He is ALWAYS walking ahead of us, aware of us, and desiring that we follow Him into GOOD things.  He longs to hold our hand and have us walk with Him, in ALL circumstances.

My prayer for this week is that I not wait on Him to find me.  I want to run to catch up to Him, grab Him around the waist, hold His hand and walk with Him in JOY.  ^"But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, that I may declare all thy works." (Psalm 73:28 KJV)

What are your thoughts today?  Will you follow Him and take His hand?  He love you.

Spike Heels and Baby Turtles

I wanted to jump off the end of the pier...

I picked up a Kleenex box and gazed at the picture on the side.  It was of a long wooden pier out over shimmering, blue water, with gorgeous mountains far in the distance.  I had the sudden urge to run down the length of the pier and into the water.  My senses longed to feel the joy of the bubbling water surround me.  I wanted to swim and swim, reach the other side and run toward the mountains.  Hesitancy and planning are the usual behaviors for me, so this impromptu longing was far from my practiced nature. 

However, God is taking me to a new season.  A season of moving forward, at a marathon pace, is what my heart has been conforming to desire.  As I thought about this, I reflected on how He prepares us and plants desires within us for the place He wants to take us. 

"As for me, I will see Your face in righteousness;
I shall be satisfied when I awake in Your likeness. "  (Psalm 17:15 NKJV)

As we draw unto Him, He pulls us to Him and His will.  Our emotions become intertwined as one with His.  We are moved with His feelings just as Christ was.  We are His children...His heirs.  He wants intimacy in conversation and relationship.  He has so much for us.

Vacation plans:  They start with an unrest - a pull to get away from our current location - the sense of a need for rest.  Then we see a picture or hear of a certain place.  A small glimpse of that destination begins to stir desire within us.  We begin to search out available details.  We look at maps and brochures, all the while our senses stir to be hands on to this new place, our pulse quickens at the thought of our upcoming departure.  Our desire to experience this new place has grown. 

We take our voyage and savor every moment.  From the rise of the airplane into the sky to defy gravity, the color and texture of the clouds in the sky, to our feet first touching down in our new destination.  We have begun our experience of our 'new' place.   

All from a little tiny stirring or awakening...come forth vast and pleasurable experiences.  We are never the same thereafter.  Those experiences teach us things, help us to see the world in a different light.  We see ourselves anew and afresh.  Our senses that have been dulled are standing on end and at attention. 

It makes me think of a recent trip to the beach.  My husband needed to attend a conference around the same time as our fifteenth wedding anniversary, so he asked me if I would like to go with him and celebrate our anniversary there.  Long story short, I experienced much of what I talked about earlier in the vacation description above.  Most of us have been there.  However, I was stunned to taste and see the unexpected while I was there. 

There was a level of enjoyment that I had not expected to experience.  I would close my eyes and taste the sea salt on my tongue.  Wiggling my toes into the sand and feeling the waves repeatedly was over them became a cherished daily exercise, although I felt rather childlike.  Each morning, I would run to the window in great anticipation to see what the sunrise held for me that day.  I did not want to miss a one. 

It became a time of self renewal.  'Stuff' that I had buried down inside my heart began to come to the surface.  The secret place within me was open to allow purging and healing.  Going home, I would truly be lighter.  I was laying my burdens at the feet of Jesus.

And then there was the turtle walk.  It was the night of my anniversary.  As I was looking at the events planned for the area, I discovered there would be a turtle talk and walk almost at the same time as our anniversary dinner reservation.  Just the semester before, I had taught a zoology course and learned an incredible amount about sea turtles.  I so wanted to be both places.  So, with the apathy of my husband, I ran down to the turtle talk...in my ornate dress and spiked, platform heels.  At the end of the talk I explained to the guide about my dinner reservations, but told her that I so wanted to join the walk on the beach in search of the cuties.  The leader of the talk told us where to meet them and when.  She expected several nests to be hatching that night.

We had a wonderful dinner.  The restaurant even treated us to desert for the special occasion.  Then, we made our way down to the beach.  We were walking in the dark, journeying to find life erupting from the banks of sand. 

During all the months of planning prior, I did not foresee that moment in time.  Who, but God, would have known that I would be walking along the beach at night in a crocheted dress and spike heels...on my search for baby turtles.  We could have decided that the attire wasn't just right for a walk in the sand that evening, but adventure to grasp this new experience outweighed discomfort and possible humiliation.  Although it was uncomfortable and uncertain at the time, I now smile thinking of this moment.  It is forever etched in my mind and heart. 

I could have decided it was too difficult to arrange childcare, pack, or move past my emotional baggage to go on this trip.  Something, however, pulled me to move forward to this part of the journey. A block in time that seemed so simple became a monumental moment in my life.  A life changing encounter with God and the self that I really am was the result. 

 "By entering through faith into what God has always wanted to do for us—set us right with him, make us fit for him—we have it all together with God because of our Master Jesus. And that's not all: We throw open our doors to God and discover at the same moment that he has already thrown open his door to us. We find ourselves standing where we always hoped we might stand—out in the wide open spaces of God's grace and glory, standing tall and shouting our praise." (Romans 5:1-2 MSG)

I am ready to run the length of the pier and jump in the water.  It has taken me a long time to get here.  But...I am ready.  Where is God taking you?  What has it taken for you to be in this place?  Encourage others with a few comments.

What Shape Will They See?

What shape will others see when I am gone?  I keep seeing all the wonderful tree sculptures all about.   Just as the buds blanket the branches of the world around them, these statues of wood that have served their seasons become obvious.  Each one tells a different story.  My eyes are drawn to the shape of their growth or struggle for survival.  The green spreads through the branches around them, life growing and preparing to make seeds and fruit.  Those too old to grow anymore are left barren, their shape pointing upwards to their Maker.  Reaching outward, outward and twisting in all directions...each tree taking a different shape.  Its skin showing, bark no more, the gray tower speaks of the life it lived.   

What shape will others see when I am gone?  The twists, turns, and stature  Will I look balanced, or will I show that weather and man has pruned me with no thought of the intended shape of my Maker.  I want to know that I will be left standing pointing upwards to the one who made me.  The seeds of a life full of love and growth spread about.  The wounds of my past will be long grown over, and my shape will be cast against the gorgeous sky painted by the One who made me. 

"¹For you created my inmost being;
   you knit me together in my mother’s womb. 
  I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
   your works are wonderful,
   I know that full well.
My frame was not hidden from you
   when I was made in the secret place,
   when I was woven together in the depths of the earth."  (Psalm 139:13-15 NIV)

Beautiful Day

Beautiful Day



Soft and Chilly Morning

Green Mist in the Afternoon

Roaring Fire

View Across the Meadow

Warms the Soul

Sweet Rain of Love

Fun in the Puddles

Wheels Splash Waterworks on Car

Girls' Laughter All Around

Sun Breaks Through

Blue Sky Background

Grey Clouds Painted Gold About

Evening Draws Nigh

Silver Silhouette of Nature

Budding Branches Reach High

Clouds No More

Today is a cloudy day.  It has been a cloudy day in more ways than one.  Clouds seem to block the sun, but they always have a potential of rain.

You see, I did something I try never to do.  I went to sleep last night, without releasing the weights of the day.  This is never good for me.  It forms clouds blocking my heart.  Yuck!

Yesterday, before I allowed junk to roll in and rest in my back yard, a song was pouring up from my heart.  This morning, the lyrics of that song kept tumbling in my mind.  My heart was stirred at their meaning.

My eyes down

Heart heavy with the world

Weary, tired, and longing for nothing...

Then I saw the Lilly turn

I looked up

The branches swayed with the wind

I looked at the clouds

And saw the sun break through

I felt your love - I felt your love

I saw the light

I heard Your truth

I saw Your love break through

You are amazing

Speaking to me

Sayinw you made me lovely

You said, "My uniqueness is from You"

"My purpose from You"

"The two intertwined like the rose clinging to the fence"

You love me

Beauty comes from You

I will open my heart; receive what you have

Thank You

You shine through the clouds

Piercing the dark and dreary

Amazing light and love

Come from You - come from You

Thank You

A song in the night

Not just for me

Lifted up and encouraged

In Your arms

In Your light

Thank you for Your love

I saw the light

I heard Your truth

I saw Your love break through

With the thought of the sun shining through the clouds, I let go of the hurt on my heart and anger in my clenched fist.  Will you let go of yours today?  Freedom awaits.  The rain is falling with His love, His love abundant.

A Drop of Blood

Yesterday, I was walking in an older district of our town.  The homes have well groomed yards and are often grandiose in scale and architectural detail.  It is quite a sight-seeing experience, especially with trees already blooming for the spring.

The wind was blowing.  Suddenly, in the midst of all the beauty, something caught my eye.  It was not a swing, a gate, a dog, or a beautiful bay window.  Caught in the branches of a tree, was a red Mylar balloon.  It was difficult not to just stop and stare at this unusual sight.  It was not what my senses were expecting.  I continued to desire to look at the image, and  I longed to know more about it.  How long had it been there?  What kind of balloon was it.  Who did it belong to?  All of these questions reminded of another experience and thought that had been mulling around in my head for the last couple of days. 

We had a red visitor at our house on Saturday evening.  In fact, we had another one on Sunday morning.  Two red paper, hot-air balloons landed in our yard.  They were such a curious sight that I searched online seeking there origination.  I so wanted to know how far they had traveled.  What was the purpose of their launching?  I even asked the local television station and others online.  I only found out there is a maker of them in Denmark.  Did they come from there?  Not finding answers did not satisfy me.  I will continue to look.

Is that what unbelievers do when they get a glimpse of a drop of Christ's blood in our lives?  Does it so grab their attention that they simply cannot let it go.  We may have released our balloon into the air and are not even aware that others are scrambling to know more about this love.  Are we the tree sculpture holding tightly to the shiny, red, Mylar balloon that can be the freedom of another?  This thought and visual example challenged me to put aside all shame and procrastination. 

Whose to say?  Today may be the day another stops to ponder of the love of Christ.  Is my living and obedience a testimony to others?  This is not a condemning thought.  Rather, I am stirred to LIVE in love, to show love, to run and not grow weary. 

^"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 40:31 (NIV)