Agape Love Archives - Page 5 of 8 - Catherine Nelson

Pat and I spent this week in Marco Island, Florida. It was a sweet time for us as a couple to enjoy each other and catch up with friends while Pat had business meetings. Because Pat’s days were filled with meetings, I had lots of time to be alone and walk on the beach. I love walking on the beach and never miss the chance to seize the opportunity. I had to bundle up for my beach walks this week. It was cool and very windy. The locals kept apologizing for the terrible weather. Apparently, they are used to calm seas with high temperatures in the 80’s in January.

You could see and hear the white caps from our room. The waves were big, constant and aggressive and they ushered in tons of shells. We have been blessed as a family to travel to the beach every year, but our favorite family beach does not have shells. The shoreline in Marco Island was littered with them. You couldn’t take half a step without seeing starfish, sand dollars, conch shells, sea urchins and more. I started collecting the treasures and sat down to examine and admire all of them. The purple sea urchin was my favorite. The pattern on it was so precise and balanced. The color was vibrant and the detailed design was delightful. As uncomfortable as the cold and strong wind was, it was the vehicle that propelled the waves to rise, crash and disturb the sea floor. The effect of the wind brought in gems from the ocean, and allowed me the privilege of shell study and admiration. I discovered newfound beauty in the middle of an unbridled windstorm, and I was so blessed by it.

Knowing what I do about God, I know He created things for His pleasure and purpose. He made that purple sea urchin because it delighted Him to do so. He delighted in showing His godliness to me this week as I discovered the shell. I was able to praise Him for being a God who loves beauty, precision and detail. I was reminded about how every detail matters to Him and nothing escapes His attention, surprises Him or is beyond His control. He is powerful, and He is also beautifully intimate.

God often uses the powerful, aggressive and threatening storms in our life to show us something intimately beautiful. When we are swept up in the middle of an unbridled windstorm, the waves push us to our knees and propel us to study. We discover and are deeply comforted by “The God who sees” during these times. When the atmosphere is calm and mostly sunny, we don’t tend to stop and examine things; we mindlessly amble along, burning calories while singing a happy tune. There is such a sweetness in the storm that we don’t see unless we are in the middle of it. It seems that most of the time, we tend to wait for the storm to pass before we start praising God. We feel like we need an outcome in order to offer praise, but God didn’t tell us to wait for the rainbow to begin praising Him. He tells us to “Be Still and know that He is God.” We are the ones who are to be still; the storm doesn’t need to still….we do. We must be purposeful in the praising; we should look for the magnificent and delicate sea urchin while the wind is still roaring.

God has always used the powerful and aggressive to remind people that He is God. Windstorms are in His wheelhouse.

In Exodus 6-10, God told and showed Moses that Pharaoh, the Israelites and Egyptians would know that He was God as He displayed His power through plagues. In the desert, God heard the Israelites complaining and wanted them to know He was God by giving them manna every day (Exodus 16). God purposed his Lordship by showing Joshua and the Israelites that He is God when He led them across the Jordan River (Joshua 3).

God’s purpose for us is to know Him, glorify Him and enjoy Him. He is powerful to rescue us from plagues and He is merciful to provide us the manna and sustenance we need to survive in the desert. He goes before us when our enemies are ready to attack. He is the God who sees and He is powerful enough to subdue the wind, and tender enough to deliver gifts of beauty to brighten our day. Sometimes His most precious treasures are washed right up to our feet in the middle of our fiercest storms. Oh dear friends, take a minute to be still and praise Him for who He is and for everything He is doing.

“Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth!” Psalm 46:10 (NKJV)

“How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God!
How great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they would be more in number than the sand;” Psalm 139:17-18 (NKJV)

“O Lord God of hosts,
Who is mighty like You, O Lord?
Your faithfulness also surrounds You. You rule the raging of the sea;
When its waves rise, You still them.” Psalm 89:8-9 (NKJV)

 

“In the beginning was the Word.” (John 1:1) “The earth was formless and empty and darkness covered the deep waters. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the deep waters.” (Genesis 1:2)

I recently wrote an article about self-correcting mistakes. In the article, I encouraged you to seek wisdom and allow the Lord to help you establish your steps when you are confronted with trials and difficult decisions. A number of you had follow up questions and comments regarding how we are supposed to do that. How can any of us know what steps to take? How do we know that God has given us wisdom when we ask? Is there a formula for wisdom?

As surprising as it may sound, the answer is “Yes”. In our formless and empty darkness, where we are burdened by fear and confusion, we can seek and find wisdom. James tells us:

“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.” James 1:5 (NKJV)

The wisdom of God can only be found in His Word, and when we seek His will and submit our need for wisdom, the Holy Spirit hovers over us and lifts us out of the dark sea of confusion and chaos. There are many deep things of God that we will never be able to understand while we are here, but we can be assured that the challenges that God has allowed us to navigate today are ones that can and will bring Him glory. He loves to impart wisdom and when we receive His wisdom, we also get the promise of peace.

Everyone is faced with tough decisions. We agonize over job and school choices. We pray and worry about relationships and how to navigate them. We fret over big purchases and investments. Family planning offers all kinds of opportunities for uneasiness. When faced with a big decision, I think I have always prayed for wisdom, but I am so insecure about the limits of my brain that I doubt my proficiency in making decisions all the time. I know I am not alone in my insecurity. Moses needed to see a burning bush. Gideon laid the fleece out twice. The disciples were racked with fear after Jesus’s death, and many of you likely doubt your own decision-making abilities too.

When we clearly see how inadequate we are, we know with certainty that we need help and direction from the one who alone is wise. I have been placed in the middle of a chaotic and worrisome situation. In my pursuit of handling it with wisdom, I have prayed and sought answers in God’s word. I asked the Lord to establish my steps, and I have come up with a solid plan of action, but I have been so ruffled and emotionally involved that I have questioned the appropriateness of my game plan.

God is so good! He doesn’t leave us hungry. He always has just the right answer and it gives Him joy to reveal those answers to us in His Word. As I fretted and wavered and longed for answers, the Holy Spirit was hovering and in His precious and tender way, led me to this verse:

“The wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.” James 3:17 (NKJV)

I found my formula for wisdom. With this verse as my guide, I juxtaposed the established plan that I hoped and believed was the right approach and meditated on every facet in this verse.

Was my approach Pure? Have I asked the Lord to examine my heart? Am I looking for a temporary fix or an opportunity to glorify myself?

Does my plan promote Peace? Is there coldness or vanity weaving through my intentions?

Am I approaching this with gentleness, or am I looking to win or advance myself? Am I treating the situation and people involved in the way I would hope to be treated?

If something changes or the Lord reveals to me that I am wrong, Am I willing to yield and see a different course?

Am I being merciful? God has shown me so much mercy. My sins are forgiven because of His amazing mercy? Am I withholding forgiveness? Will others be blessed by my actions?

Am I so stubborn, off track or not grafted in to “the vine” that I am not bearing good fruit?

Am I showing partiality? Do I like myself so much or dislike someone else so much that I am acting unfairly?

Am I just pretending? Am I being a hypocrite?

As I meditated and let the Holy Spirit examine my heart, I was overwhelmed with peace. When decisions are wrought with unease, we need help. Life is full of tough decisions and perplexing problems. When our world feels like a dark, formless and chaotic sea, we have the promise of Light and God’s Word to stand on. We always have the Holy Spirit hovering over us to help us navigate the wisdom in God’s Word. In the beginning was the Word…and for today there is The Word, and in The Word is where you will find wisdom.

Be encouraged and be at peace. God’s Word is true and it sanctifies, cleanses, encourages, directs and nourishes. Let His word establish your steps.

“You heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise.” Eph 1:13 (NKJV)

 

It feels inauthentic to share with you how I am learning through a tough time without giving nitty gritty details, but there are some things in life that are so wrong and hurtful, it is just stupid to let the offense pollute or swell. I feel so blessed to have been knocked down and to have had the opportunity to learn and grow. Everyone has stuff. There isn’t a person on the planet that doesn’t understand pain. As I have been dealing with mine, I have done lots of writing and journaling to help me remember and to help me mentally work through it. I have written lots of blogs that will never be posted. Pain comes in all shapes and forms; the one thing that is constant is the one who heals our pain. I have experienced anger, betrayal, confusion and fear while persistently seeking the Lord and His healing touch. His touch and His word do heal. It is incredibly beautiful to sit here today and write about the gladness He has put in my heart in the midst of a nasty storm.

Earlier this week, I shared with you my frustration with God. I wanted God to quit stalling and get to vindicating. I wanted Him to smite and punish and avenge. (Screaming at God). I was reeling around in my anger, and I hate being angry. I was itchin for a fight and I really hated the itch. I want to love like Jesus does. I want to forgive like He has forgiven me and I knew that He would have to do something miraculous on my heart if I would ever be able to glorify Him during this season.

God’s word, the prayers of the saints and the power of the Holy Spirit are the tools God uses to preform the miracles we cry out for. He fights for us.

I trust Him to fight. None of the details in my situation or yours surprises God. He is the God of truth and light. His light exposes and eradicates the darkness. A very wise friend asked me if I had claimed one specific bible verse during this trail. Although I hadn’t intentionally done so, there was a verse that broke through my pain and thoughts the hour all of this began. It actually was just a portion of a verse:

“Whatsoever things are true…. meditate on these things.” Phil. 4:8 (NKJV)

I have meditated on this verse and other truths for weeks now and I can say without hesitation that doing so has allowed me to rejoice.

I wish I learned as much during easy seasons in life. It would be wonderful if God conformed me to the likeness of His son through vacations, economic security, health, and beautiful celebrations. I learn more from difficult times. I spend more time on my knees, thirsting for God’s wisdom and seeking the Holy Spirit’s guidance when I have been knocked down. Each time the howling winds of hurt knock me over, I grow and I get up. God uses all things together for good for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28), and what could be better than growing to be more like Jesus? We are to consider it pure joy when we face trials, because it is these very things that perfect our faith (1 Peter 1:6-9).

God is the one who reveals my righteousness. My battle is not proving how right I am. I don’t have to waste firepower shooting back at my enemies. The captain of Heaven’s armies is fighting for me. I get to sing and shout about how great He is. If I am really itchin for a fight, I am called to fight the Lord’s battles. I am a soldier equipped to fight for the poor and poor in spirit. God can handle my enemies. He has given me the chance to fight for peace, light and truth.

The devil is our enemy. He loves to wound and destroy. He sends in floods of wickedness and trouble, but God will establish a strong wall to keep the floodwaters from overtaking you. When we trust in His strength and capability, and let Him stand in front of us, we emerge from the floodwaters clean and beautiful. We don’t have to let anger and bitterness stick to us like the mud and silt of a disastrous flood.

We can come out of the furnace like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego and not even smell like smoke. (Daniel 3:27)

God is so good; His grace is Amazing. His mercies are new every morning. Let Him fight. Trust Him. Rejoice in the trials He is using to sanctify you. Do not let bitterness and lies leave any nasty silt on you. He is with you in the furnace and if you meditate on whatsoever things are true, you can come out of the furnace radiant. Instead of wallowing in the pain inflicted, sing about the savior. Embrace the chance to be a sweet aroma; Leave the pain of the burn behind without a scent of lingering smoke.

“Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.” Phil 4:8 (NKJV)

I walk crooked. When I don’t pay attention to my stride or if I am tired, my heel will strike my inner ankle. After a long jog, my socks are stained with blood on both inner ankles. Some of my tall shoes have chunks missing from repetitive strikes and the dark scars on my ankles are permanent. You would think I would learn. It really hurts to repetitively bang and kick your ankle. A more discerning person would embrace these kicks as self-correcting mistakes and then never kick herself again.

I wish I could say that I am a person who only has to make a mistake once in order to learn. I am not. I am sure that the lion’s share of my mistakes are parenting mistakes. Today marks 20 years for me as a parent. I have messed up a lot of things as a mom, and thankfully, I have learned from a lot of these mistakes. I always intend on being a good mom. I want to inspire and encourage and teach, mold and love my kids in the best ways possible. I have read books and listened to lectures and prayed for guidance, and my kids seem to be doing OK, but they have had to forgive me for a lot too. As much as I love all four of my kids and as great as my intentions are, I am a sinner and an imperfect parent.

As I have made parenting mistakes, I have learned from them. The structure and environment that the 4^th child is living in has dramatically evolved from what it was for my first-born. When your best intentions fail and wound, it is only prudent to scrap the original plan and readjust. I have found that the easiest way for me to screw things up is when I am tired, confused, or not paying attention.

We all get tired. Life is exhausting and confusing. When we get distracted, it is so easy to get off track. I am navigating something right now that is uncomfortable, painful and confusing. I know that I need direction and help if I am going to be able to glorify the Lord and keep a sure footing. I need Him to help me establish a plan.

Because life, learning, relationships and parenting are all tough tasks, we need direction and help in our preparation to tackle them. When we are tired, emotionally raw, confused or distracted, we need to have an established plan in place.

It is vital to be in relationship with the Lord. I need time alone with Him. I crave His word, comfort, counsel and direction. I need Him to establish my words, work and steps. On my own, I fall into a pattern of pain and confusion. When I go out unprepared, emotions, confusion and exhaustion distract me. I need a plan in place. I need established steps. I am told that God will provide these, but I need to spend time with Him so I can understand His plan.

It doesn’t take long to figure out that going solo is a self-correcting mistake. You are not perfect and you can recover from your mistakes. You have a friend and leader who can set your feet on the right path and establish your steps. He is the only perfect parent. He has been at it much longer than 20 years. He is eternal. Nothing surprises Him. He is wisdom and truth and peace. He longs to spend time with you and help you establish a plan for navigating through the obstacles in your path. Trust Him. He is gentle and will always pick you up when you fall. He promises to establish your steps.

“A psalm of David. When he was in the Desert of Judah. You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you; I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you, in a dry and parched land where there is no water.” Psalm 63:1 (NIV)

“Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and our God and Father, who has loved us and given us everlasting consolation and good hope by grace, comfort your hearts and establish you in every good word and work.”

2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 (NKJV)

When I finally accepted the challenge of starting a blog, I had lots of fear mixed with great expectations. I truly believe that I am meant to do this. I have been given the words and platform to “Go tell it on the mountain that Jesus Christ is Lord”. I really am not sure what God’s plan for all of this is, but the encouragement I received from many of you prompted me to hope for more opportunities and a bigger platform. I  checked the activity  on my  blog this weekend and learned that 23,000 of you have read some of the things I have been inspired to write about. Although the speaking opportunities and subscribers to my blog have been minimal, I have had a taste of expectations fulfilled.

Back in October, I wrote a post called “Sports Zombies”. It struck a nerve with a lot of people and got re-tweeted and shared 998 times (I would have loved to watch that number roll over to 1K). A national radio program emailed me and suggested I come on their show after the election to talk about the lessons I had learned regarding priorities and parenting athletes. I felt so validated, but the weeks passed by and they never got back in touch. I got to experience a taste of excitement and approval and I hungered for more.

A great taste of something should always make us hungry. Our loving and Heavenly Father has given us gifts and longings. It is just plain wrong to feel guilty for receiving the good gifts He has given us. He knows what He is doing and He has chosen whom to give what gift.

Sometimes, God gives us glimpses and tastes of great things to whet our appetites. He knows when the time is right to deliver the full meal. When a taste is all that is offered, either the meal or the consumer isn’t ready. There may be some things that need to be cleared out of the way, taste buds that need to evolve, or some more marinating to do. The dinner bell will ring at just the right time.

I have been so blessed to get to listen to precious friends who long to be married or have babies. I have been trusted to pray for them and for those of you who feel like you have underutilized gifts and skills. Each time, the person who is longing has already had a taste or received a tiny portion of the great thing they are asking for.

There is every reason to be encouraged. God doesn’t treat your tears and longings with indifference. He cares deeply and has a future planned for you that is full of hope.

God designed marriage and Family and He is glorified in them. He gives good gifts and the opportunities to use them. God is not cruel. It is not in His nature to let the smell and taste of hope waft through your air and then withhold them. God’s ways are higher than our ways. We are limited in our understanding and so we have to trust in what we know to be true. This is how our faith grows.

As we look forward to a new year, savor the taste of the good things you have experienced. Remember the flavor with thankfulness and don’t let your longing for more become sour. There is every reason we should live each day filled with hopefulness. God is the best promise keeper. His blessings and mercies are new every single morning and one day soon, He will return. He is preparing a delicious banquet. One day soon, we won’t be limited by tastes and tiny portions. We will savor His goodness and be filled. Go tell it on the mountain. God is good. He never disappoints. He keeps all His promises. Those who hunger for Him will always be filled.

“Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you.  For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. “You parents—if your children ask for a loaf of bread, do you give them a stone instead?  Or if they ask for a fish, do you give them a snake? Of course not!  So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him.” Matthew 7:7-11 (NLT)

 

“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11 (NLT)

 

“In Jerusalem,[a] the Lord of Heaven’s Armies
    will spread a wonderful feast
    for all the people of the world.
It will be a delicious banquet
    with clear, well-aged wine and choice meat. There he will remove the cloud of gloom,
    the shadow of death that hangs over the earth. He will swallow up death forever!
    The Sovereign Lord will wipe away all tears.
He will remove forever all insults and mockery
    against his land and people.
    The Lord has spoken! In that day the people will proclaim,
“This is our God!
    We trusted in him, and he saved us!
This is the Lord, in whom we trusted.
    Let us rejoice in the salvation he brings!” Isaiah 25:6-9 (NLT)

This week Bess and I have been working on an “Amazing Race” Application. We are putting together a script and a video while laughing and dreaming of the possibility of this adventure. We love watching the show. It is a blast to watch teams work together and often fall apart. Imagining ourselves taking on the physical, culinary and navigation challenges is a delightful daydream. It is highly unlikely that we would be chosen to compete, but it has been sweet to have some time this week to enjoy a new project together.

In almost every episode of every season, teams will spot the show’s host standing at the finish line, and they will drop all their bags and run with renewed energy to stand on the finish line with him. During the final sprint, you don’t hear complaining, arguing or whining. If there is any sound at all, it is from the other teammate who shouts words of encouragement and motivation.

In Christian circles, devotionals and bible lessons, we hear all the time that this life is like a race:

“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.” 1 Corinthians 9:24 (NKJV)

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” 2 Timothy 4:7 (NKJV)

I have run a bunch of marathons, and I can also say now that I have NO intention of ever running another one. In each marathon I ran, there were relatively easy sections and there were other miles that were positively grueling. I hated hills. I smiled more and concentrated on the appearance of my stride when I knew others were watching. My pain eased off when I received oranges and Gatorade at the pit stops. Music and supportive onlookers were so encouraging. I found strength running side by side with other marathoners who had to take every step I was taking. It always helps to know you aren’t “in it” alone.

I will never forget running the New Orleans marathon. As I kept putting one foot in front of the other, I passed a man who was jumping rope. I passed him around mile 7; I imagine that he continued his jump rope marathon for the full 26 miles. As hard as running a marathon is, I cannot imagine how much harder jumping rope for 26 miles would be….What a burden!

The jump rope masochist chose to make the task of running a marathon exponentially harder. There is not a condition or requirement in the rules of running a marathon that ever says you need a jump rope. The race is hard enough on its own without adding on extra burdens.

In the Amazing Race, the teams need their backpacks. The burden of a backpack is necessary, but the people wearing them do their best to keep these “burdens” as light as possible. When the amazing racers spot the end of the race, they can clearly see that nothing else matters. The necessary burden of the backpack becomes unnecessary. The only thing that matters is that they finish the race. At the finish line, they are free from all of their burdens.

Many of us are carrying unnecessary burdens. We add fear and heavy fluff to the already grueling task of racing. We are exhausted jump-roping marathoners. Others of us have packed too much into our backpacks and we find ourselves hunching over from the extra weight. We believe that we need everything in our pack; we are compulsive over-packers.

This morning, I read these refreshing verses:

 “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30 (NKJV)

I needed the reminder. I know that I fall into patterns where I worry about things beyond control. I have been guilty of adding too much heavy fluff to my life load. I have been weighed down by shame and the “what if’s”. I am guaranteed rest and the most capable friend to lean on. I don’t have to choose to be weighed down. Jesus is for me. He is on my team and He is so strong and so gentle. I will finish the race and win if I race by His side.

He offers me even better refreshment than oranges and Gatorade. He is cheering me on. He has graciously put all of us in the race together. There is sweet comfort when we remember that we are not in it alone. We have the privilege of running along side each other while shouting, “You will make it!”.

The finish line is in sight and the one waiting at the end of the race loves us more than we can ever imagine. He has taken all of our burdens and He is celebrating us. Focus on Him. Focus on the finish. Put down your unnecessary burdens and run. Life is grueling enough without having to jump rope.

3 days into the New Year and I fell asleep last night wanting a “do-over”. This morning, I am singing a new song. All the accumulated mess and sick and yuck that transpired in our home has not been washed away, but circumstances are not the dictator of my new song. I would love to tell you why I am singing.

Today is January 3, 2015 and this gem of a verse was the nourishment and encouragement I received first thing this morning:

“Sing to The Lord a new song!” Isaiah 42:10 (NKJV)

Your year may be off to a great start or you may have already used up an entire box of Kleenex wiping away tears this week. Your teams may have won; you might be enjoying a relaxing vacation; you may feel like a ridiculous loser for making and already breaking resolutions, but whatever your circumstances are, you (and I) are told to sing.

I am a terrible singer. I cannot carry a tune in a bucket. I thought it would be clever to pen a poem or song in this blog expressing my heart this morning, but my efforts were laughable. My attempt made “Gangnam Style” look like Chaucer. Because I am terribly lacking in musical skills, I find it even more wonderful that I am commanded to sing… and sing every day… and to sing loudly with all my strength (Psalm 81:1-2).

The God of the universe who commands me to sing is unsearchable. I could never know Him so well that songs I offer Him would get repetitive or dull. He is the King of all creation; He is the captain of Heaven’s armies. He is the vine. His banner over me is Love. He is my shepherd and savior and shield. He is the Alpha and Omega, and as we say goodbye to 2014 and welcome in a new year, my heart is bursting with song because He is Alpha and Omega.

Without rhyme or rhythm, here is a peek into my heart’s song this morning:

“Holy God, You are Alpha and Omega, and I love this about You.

Thank you for being the Alpha.

Thank you that today is a brand new day and that your mercies are new every morning.

Thank you that you are all about new beginnings and creating beauty from nothing.

Thank you for being the first and always going before me.

Thank you for being the one who grows new shoots out of the stump of cut down trees.

Thank you that life begins with you.

Thank you for being the Omega.

Thank you that when you are finished with something, it is over.

Thank you for being the end to my sins.

You died and paid for them and then you sat down, because you finished your job.

Thank you for using death to be the launching pad for life.

Thank you for not being finished with me yet.

Thank you for being the ending so that I can have a clean and fresh beginning.”

Precious friends, today is appointed for you. No matter what today or 2015 holds, it was especially designed for you. You are equipped to thrive, so sing about it.

Recognize that you were chosen for such a time as this….no matter what this time holds.

The apostle Paul lived a life riddled with trials and bumpy circumstances, but he set a great example for us by embracing his “today”. He sang praises during the bad days and the good ones. I am so encouraged to follow his example and to attempt to lift a song that will be a sweet aroma to our God- the Alpha and Omega.

Oh friends, sing with me. We are members of a mighty chorus.

“Paul thanked God and took courage.” Acts 28:15 (NKJV)

“Sing aloud to God our strength;
Make a joyful shout to the God of Jacob.Raise a song and strike the timbrel,
The pleasant harp with the lute.” Ps 81:1-2 (NKJV)

 

“Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”

Neh 8:10 (NKJV)

 

Our home was broken into today while we were at church and lunch. The dogs, alarm, security patrol and police all did their jobs and responded quickly. Our family, pets and home are no worse for the violation. Our home is tucked in on a safe cove in a safe neighborhood. We are pretty good about locking and dead bolting the doors. We pay a monthly fee to have a neighborhood security company patrol our house. We have an alarm system. We have dogs and one of them recognizes and aggressively barks at strangers. (God love Kevin… at least she’s pretty). We really do everything we know to do to prevent break-ins and establish safety, and today, we saw our efforts pay off.

We are not invincible and a more-clever or determined thief could have successfully looted our home, but that did not happen today. As I securely sit here by the fire, surrounded by my dogs and family I am so thankful for the discipline of being prepared. It takes discipline to remember to lock up, pay the security bills and to set the alarm. It doesn’t take a lot of effort; it has become habit. These habits protected us today.

The assault on the Nelson home today was from a petty and uninteresting thief. The event came and went and might as well be in the dumpster with all the Christmas wrappings. There have been bigger assaults on our family: cancer, death, broken hearts and relationships…. And the effects of those assaults linger, but the trouble of most of our days measure closer to a .02 on a Richter scale. The break-in today was just a little bump, because we were prepared.

I cannot consider the events of today without comparing them to other parts of my life. Every day, I do all I know to do to be prepared. Whether it is a meal plan or laundry, a full tank of gas or scheduling my calendar, I am organized and equipped to tackle the events of the day.

I have made it a habit to begin each day with a quiet time. There is nothing praise-worthy or extraordinary about this habit; I am weak and vulnerable and prime for attack. I need the buffering and strength of the Holy Spirit to ward off all the petty and unimaginative attacks of the enemy. He knows all my weak spots and the perfect place to break in. He tempts me to lie and covet and swim in guilt. He loves to tell me I am unworthy and unimportant. I have to be constantly reminded to set a guard on my mind and an alarm on my heart. I wish the Spirit would bark as loudly as “Donut” when temptation pushes on the doors of my mind.

I am encouraged to know that the habit and obedient spirit that I have been blessed with does so much more than protect me. When I listen to the warnings and alarms, and I take heed, God is glorified. I am being conformed to Christ when I listen and obey. I cannot recognize His voice if I don’t participate in the habit of listening.

As I grow in Him and watch Him faithfully stand with me in the smaller, constant tremors, my assurance in His love and omnipotence grows. He will never leave me and He is just as present and faithful to protect me when the big earth-quaking assaults hit.

His voice is beautiful and strong and wise. I want to know it better. I crave the protection of His promises. We are living in a broken world primed with threats and intentions to harm. We must be prepared in order to fend off the fiery darts and attacks. We are guaranteed immediate results and protection.

Dear friends, set a guard…lock up… get prepared…turn on the alarm. There is no safer place than in the home of the King. There is no comfort greater than being held tightly in the Shepherd’s embrace.

“The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep recognize his voice and come to him. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.” John 10:3 (NLT)

“God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble.” Psalm 46:1 (NLT)

“In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil.” Ephesians 6:16 (NLT)

“For unto us a child is born….” And that child became a toddler and a pre-teen. He was a teenager before He became an adult.

As this year winds to a close, most of us have taken a look back and remembered the ups and down of 2014. This has been a great year in the Nelson home; it has been full of blessings and burdens. In a recent post (“God of Mondays”), I shared how my youngest had been wounded by the perpetual 8^th grade nastiness, and how I had treasured the privilege of comforting her through the pain. I told her about how Jesus had been rejected too. I showed her places in scripture where friends had wounded Jesus and I repeated His promises to comfort her.

“This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin.”

Hebrews 4:15 (NLT)

This Christmas season, I keep thinking about the beauty of God’s plan to come to earth as a baby. Jesus came to die. I guess that means that He could have died as an infant or come as an adult. He had a lot of prophecies to fulfill, but He could have found a more expedient way to do it. He is God and He is all-powerful. He laid down His life when the time was right. He died on the cross to save us from our sins when His job on earth was finished.

It is incredibly precious to me that He considered it His job to live every day and stage of 33 years. It shows such kindness and intimacy that He would live and sometimes suffer through each stage. He lived it and so He really does understand everything we are going through. He doesn’t just sympathize, He empathizes.

This truth is especially tender to me as a mom. As I guide my children and teach them what I know, it is such a relief that when I fail or forget or get frustrated with the suckiness of circumstances, Jesus doesn’t. A mother’s heart is tender, but it is also flawed.

When our toddlers throw tantrums or get confused about the shifting family dynamics of a new baby in the home, Jesus remembers the pain. His parents brought a baby brother home and He lived the toddler life.

When our kids jump or run without abandon and their 10-year-old bodies don’t keep up with their expectations, Jesus gets it. He fell down too and He knows how to comfort them.

Jesus was 13. He felt the rejection of shifting friendships. He knows what it was like to be accepted one day and gossiped about the next.

Jesus knew the teenage frustration of being fully-grown and full of information and to still be considered a youth.

He understands hormones and stress. He knows what it is like to be physically exhausted and hungry and in pain. He knows what it is like to work so hard day after day and to not see change. He identifies with the agony of hard work without acknowledgement and with indifference to vulnerability.

God’s plan of coming as a baby who lived every stage shows beautiful compassion. He lived it. He identifies with every circumstance and burden. He came to set us free from our captivity. He gets it. He loves us like no one else even can. Rejoice! Rejoice! Jesus was 3 and Jesus was 13. He is God. He was and is and will be evermore!

Oh, come, oh, come, Emmanuel, 
And ransom captive Israel, 
That mourns in lonely exile here 
Until the Son of God appear. 
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel 
Shall come to you, O Israel!

 

Oh, come, O Key of David, come, 
And open wide our heav’nly home; 
Make safe the way that leads on high, 
And close the path to misery. 
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel 
Shall come to you, O Israel!

Oh, come, our Dayspring from on high, 
And cheer us by your drawing nigh, 
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night, 
And death’s dark shadows put to flight. 
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel 
Shall come to you, O Israel!

I really hate how prone I am to distraction. I often feel like “Buddy the Elf” or “Dory” as I get completely off track by things that sparkle. It frustrates me that I can have a wonderful quiet time and leave my home excited about all the opportunities to do good and then get preoccupied with my agenda, pleasure and busyness.

I really hate how this played out in my life yesterday.

Yesterday morning I was so blessed by these verses:

 For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” Romans 8:15 (NKJV)

“Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.” 2 Corinthians 3:17 (NKJV)

 “But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.” James 1:25 (NKJV)

When I got up off my knees, closed my bible and finished journaling, I felt such freedom and joy. I am so blessed to be saved and to have the opportunity to be a mom and wife and to have the means and opportunities to bless and encourage others… and it is Christmas!

After feeding the kids a healthy exam breakfast, I hustled out the door for a haircut and last minute shopping. I really enjoy everything about getting my hair done. It feels extravagant. My friend, Shirley takes the extravagance factor to a new level. She takes about 10 minutes to wash my hair and massage my head and neck. Yesterday, when she was finished, I cried happy tears. I left the Salon feeling merry, blonde and super sassy and in my self-absorption, I forgot all about being bold in the Spirit. My morning intention of looking for ways to bless others and encourage those in need was completely eclipsed by my selfishness and pride. Within an hour of leaving the salon, I ignored 2 pandering homeless people, filled my car with the sound of cuss words while trying to find a parking spot at Macy’s and got inwardly judgy and self-righteous when a sales clerk (while ringing up my purchase) felt compelled to remind me that the holiday is not about shopping. By the time I got to carpool, I recognized how I had blown it. Why didn’t I take the time out to encourage and bless the people on my path? I am not that busy and I have nothing to fear. What would it have been like to talk to that homeless woman and find a way for her to experience the blessing of getting her hair washed and neck massaged? Why didn’t I carry on the conversation with the saleswoman and talk about Jesus being the whole point of Christmas? What happens when we miss the opportunity?

I know why I got off track. I got consumed with myself. I enjoyed a little indulgence and then I over-indulged to the point of blindness. I think the reason we keep hearing the phrase, “Remember the Reason for the Season” is because we are all prone to get off track. We are blinded by pain or loneliness or busyness. We focus on ourselves or our lists or shortcomings. We are paralyzed by guilt or fear and we lose sight of everything important.

It isn’t a Christmas story, but this season, I am reminded of the apostle, Peter. When Peter saw Jesus walking on the water, he jumped out of the boat. His eyes were set on Christ and He was full of joy and expectation. The minute he got distracted by his surroundings and circumstances, he began to sink.

When our eyes are set on Jesus, our steps are sure and we walk right into blessings.

Like Peter, I took my eyes off Jesus and my circumstances swallowed me up, but Jesus was and is there to pull me out. Peter refocused and finished his water-walk. I will continue to have the chance to encourage and bless others. I am thankful that in my blindness yesterday, I got an eye-opening lesson. It is always the season to be alert and keep our eyes open.

Before Peter died, he wrote encouraging letters to his Christian friends. He says that he has to keep reminding himself of the truth even though he knows the truth. He is aware of how easily we can all get distracted. (2 Peter 1:12-13) This fallible, eager to please, distracted disciple wrote encouraging words that have really helped this fallible, eager to please, distracted woman. I hope you will be encouraged too as we all try to sharpen our focus this season:

“And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires. “ 2 Peter 1:4

“But you must not forget this one thing, dear friends: A day is like a thousand years to the Lord, and a thousand years is like a day. 9 The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake.” 2 Peter 3:8-9 (NLT)