Entering His Gates

Remembering the road to Calvary unleashes waves of thanksgiving.  Today I enter His gates with thanksgiving in my heart for:

#182  encouragement from friends to keep believing in spite of what I see

#183  family love, family fun, family unity

#184  the Blood that bought my freedom

#185  Love that gave freely

#186  Spirit power that resurrects

#187  the privilege of partnering in prayer

#188  songs of deliverance during the night

#189  joy in the morning

#190  authenticity (being for real)

#191  the goodness and faithfulness of the Lord

Trusting the Process

While working together on challenging projects, a friend encouraged me to "trust the process."  In recent weeks, the words have taken on an expanded meaning.  The season of Lent brought me face to face with areas of my heart that require transformation. 

A lingering question for me is: how much space in my heart is available for Christ's Lordship?

When I am:

distracted by responsibilities;

worried about outcomes; and

amazed by evidences of grace and mercy...

I continue to learn to trust the process because the Lord is:

Declaring the end and the result from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all My pleasure and purpose.           Isaiah 46:10

I Cannot Rush Resurrection

The past week has been one of the most upside down, inside out, perplexing times I have experienced this year.  News from several fronts heralded:

"this is worse than you thought"

"she died on Tuesday morning"

"the opposite of what you've prayed for arrived"

"he died today"

"how much more can he take"

"energy to press forward diminishes moment by moment"

But then, rising from the depths of my spirit, in a crescendo that burst through my discouragement and sadness came the truth:
The Lord never leaves me; His mercy endures forever; He is good and He does good.

Getting Ready

The winter seemed long this year.  An abundance of cold and snow prompted thoughts of hibernation!

This week has been a delightful reminder of seasonal rhythms...spring follows winter - always.

As I get closer to Easter, I am pondering the impact of the resurrection in my daily life.
  

Hearing and Vision Screening

The school nurse in me chuckled when the picture appeared: sheep in a pink haze. 


The thought came to me: I need my vision checked. 


When I asked (twice!) for the one speaking to repeat what he said, I thought: I need my hearing checked.


In fact, since embarking on the fast that chose me,  I have experienced several instances of spiritual hearing and vision screenings.

I learned how dim my vision and dull my hearing can be at times.  I am thankful for grace that answers the cry of my heart:

OPEN MY EARS LORD AND HELP ME TO LISTEN

OPEN MY EYES LORD I WANT TO SEE JESUS

Seeing and hearing Jesus helps me more clearly see and hear people. 

I am grateful today for: 

#162  ears to hear

#163  eyes to see

#164  the love of God who does not judge by what he sees with his eyes 

#165  the love of God who does not decide by what he hears with his ears

#166  new mercies every morning

#167  new perspective on assignments

#168  renewed heart of gratitude

#169  friends for the journey

#170  loosened chains of injustice

#171  dancing feet now freed

Silenced in the Garden

Since I was a young girl, one of my favorite songs to sing is "In the Garden." 
When I think of silence, my mind goes back to this song.

I picture myself in a garden with the Lord. 

I do not cannot say a word; I am in awe of the One who knows me and loves me.

I am silenced...

Being in the presence of my Redeemer humbles me. 

Sitting in the garden with the Resurrection and the Life renders me speechless.

Basking in the warmth of the Bright and Morning Star transforms me.

Resting in the care of the Good Shepherd comforts me.

 

 I come to the garden alone

While the dew is still on the roses

And the voice I hear falling on my ear

The Son of God discloses.

And He walks with me, and He talks with me,

And He tells me I am His own;

And the joy we share as we tarry there,

None other has ever known.   

Charles Austin Miles (1912)

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Thank You Notes

As I continue on the road to listing 1000 gifts, I am overflowing this day.  My thank you notes burst from a grateful heart as I thank God for:

#152  ears to hear requested guidance

#153  the voice of gratitude sharing good news of diminished pain

#154  the winsome voice declaring today's arrival of prayed for documents

#155  hearing my name at the airport; turning to see my true love come to surprise me

#156  dear friend's prayer while on the road to serve up love

#157  love gift of presence for cousin in a hospital bed

#158  encouraging words received and given

#159  singing out loud and loudly in the car to Him who sits on the Throne

#160  sunshine on my skin

#161  sister talk about growing wise