Friday, October 26, 2012

Five Minute Friday: Voice

from lisajobaker.com


"Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a VOICE behind you, saying, 'This is the way; walk in it.'”--Isaiah 20:31

"Then he was told, “Go, stand on the mountain at attention before God. God will pass by.”
A hurricane wind ripped through the mountains and shattered the rocks before God, but God wasn’t to be found in the wind; after the wind an earthquake, but God wasn’t in the earthquake; and after the earthquake fire, but God wasn’t in the fire; and after the fire a gentle and quiet whisper.  When Elijah heard the quiet VOICE, he muffled his face with his great cloak..."--1 Kings 19:11-13 (The Message)

God DOES have a VOICE, and He DOES speak to us.  He directs us in the way to go.  But He isn't loud about it, He uses a "still, small voice."  He doesn't yell.  Yet we can still hear Him.  If we listen. 

I've been at a loss lately on what to do about my son.  My little boy.  My firstborn whom I so adore.  I want to help him so badly.  It's hard to know the right direction to go in a new place and in a situation in which I never imagined I would find myself.  I've really had to listen to God's VOICE, praying incessantly.  Less of a get-down-on-your-knees-for-a-specific-prayer-time and more of a throughout-the-day-with-every-breath praying.  God has been speaking, and when I hear, I move forward.  Contacts I have called have been the right ones--the ones that "just so happen" not to have a wait list to be seen.  A doctor who said, "I see 4 yr old boys who get kicked out of preschool all the time, and I can help him."  Amen.  I'm relying on His whisper in my ear.  Which means less of my earbuds playing my iTunes music.  It also means being okay with just feeling His presence inside, which often just pulls tears from my eyes. 

Thank you, Lord, for bringing me to your Word tonight and for reminding me how you have been speaking to me in your still small voice.  Amen.



Saturday, October 20, 2012

Five Minute Friday: Look


From lisajobaker.com

Look at me, mom.  Look beyond my misbehavior.  Look beyond my unruliness.  Look beyond my rude words.  Look at my heart.  I'm still the little boy you nursed for 15 months.  I'm still the one who climbs into bed with you to snuggle in the wee hours of the morning.  I'm still the one who sneaks into sister's room to tell her "it's okay, don't cry."  I'm still the one who makes you laugh.  I don't want you to see the bad, just see the good.  I want to do the right thing, but sometimes my body doesn't let me.  Something's not right.  Can you help me?  Can you see my heart?  Don't give up on me yet.  Look.



Friday, October 12, 2012

Five Minute Friday: Race...


Part of Five Minute Friday at lisajobaker.com

Hebrews 12:1-3 "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the RACE marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart."

This life is a race.  I love the Five Minute Friday series because I'm never sure in what direction the topic will lead my writing, but it's usually spiritual-related rather than the funny and cute mommy posts I usually do on my blog.  This verse immediately came to mind when I read the topic.  I've always loved it, being a runner for many years.

I imagine someone running, stripping themselves of heavy clothing and being basically naked to get to the finish line faster.  Jumping over complex patterns of strings that threaten to trip the runner, like an obstacle course (sin).  I imagine Jesus at the finish line, beckoning, shouting, "You can do it, keep your eyes on Me, you're almost there!"  I remember the last stretch of the Pittsburgh Marathon, how I was just thinking of being done, and how I would be able to rest, and drink some water, and see my family (and J.W., who of course had finished before me).  I wouldn't even THINK of stopping when I saw the finish line in front of me.

In life, Jesus is right in front of me, if I choose to see Him.  So I can't even CONSIDER stopping; persevere, keep running the awesome race of life, because when it's over, I will get to rest and replenish, and see loved ones too!  What a beautiful metaphor.  But in life, it's not about running the race fastest, it's more about living WELL, which I am seeking to do more and more of.  And God is showing me every day little glimpses of his care along the way.  He's like the race volunteers that hand out vaseline for your chafed body parts, twizzlers, gatorade, and water.  He doesn't leave us to run the race alone, He helps us out along the way.  Very cool.  :)

Friday, October 5, 2012

Five Minute Friday: Welcome...Home!




How do you make an apartment welcoming to 2 little kiddos who are used to a house?  I tried to unpack their rooms as fast as I could, complete with welcoming touches like rugs and pics on the wall, their favorite stuffed toys in visible spots, and a new decorative pillow thrown in for good measure.  I decorated for fall with pumpkins.  And I'm trying to be more peaceful in my spirit.  But it's hard to feel welcomed. 

I started my new job this week, and on the dry erase board, in large letters, spelled out, "Welcome Dr. Ruff."  All of my patients say, "So nice to have you on board!" 

There is a sign in front of our apartment complex that welcomes new tenants, and our names are squeezed in amongst other new renters.

But I think the biggest "welcome" is that of my Heavenly Father, who wraps His loving arms around me at night, when I'm feeling the most alone and vulnerable, missing my church family and familiar faces who KNOW me already, who LOVE me no matter what kind of a day I'm having...He says, "Welcome, my child, my dear child...you are ALWAYS home with me." 

Thank you, Jesus.  :)