A Message of Hope

Easter! It's such a familiar story that I've heard all my life. The story of Jesus dying and then coming to life again. But what does it mean for me personally? How can I know and experience it now?

I woke up this morning asking the question, What do I need today? Immediately I thought, I want someone to be with. This has been a recurring theme for me. Much of my life I have felt very alone. Some of it has been of my own making. Because of the pain and fear of being hurt I have built high walls to protect myself and even abandoned myself in the process. In my journey,the last several years to find healing and wholeness, I have discovered there is lots of love all around. My job is to open my heart to receive it. 

The other day as I was sitting with Jesus, feeling some sadness and pain from the past, he said to me, "I came because I love you and want to be with you! You were sad cause you thought you were losing love. Dry you eyes, my Child, love will never leave you.You will see a resurrection, for that same power that raised me from the dead, is at work in you." What I thought was dead, He is bringing to life. 

My past, my pain, my failures, my regrets can't keep me from His love. 2 Corinthians 5:21 "God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God." The definition of righteous is: free from guilt or sin; in right standing with God. 

Love is free. I don't have to earn it. That is why Jesus came. All I have to do is open my heart and receive it. 

So for today, Jesus is with me. It may be the kind eyes looking into mine, the gentle hand on my shoulder, the hug from a friend, the irises blooming outside my window, the song Living Hope or Easter dinner shared with a sister. It may simply be sitting with Jesus. He is here. I am not alone. 

Is the Volume Turned On?

Last Saturday I girded the loins of my mind and decided to go shopping in the big city of Wichita. At least to this small-town, country gal it seems big. I'm not much of a shopper to start with and when you combine it with city driving, well, you might say, it takes a lot of courage. However, my adventurous spirit kicked in and I decided to tackle it head-on. Actually, the biggest attraction was the thought of meeting a long-time friend for lunch. 

My first stop that morning was at Christopher & Banks. This place was not hard to find. I could've even done it without the GPS but I put it on, just in case. As I was in the fitting room, I heard this voice coming from the depths of my purse, instructing me where to make the next turn. I was embarrassed and slightly disgusted and turned the volume off. That should fix it, I thought. I finished fitting on clothes, paid for my purchases and headed out the door. 

Now where am I going? I pulled my phone out and put the address in the GPS. I slowly started driving, waiting for it to start "talking". It didn't! I was peeved. Sometimes it talks and sometimes it doesn't, so I kept going, fervently hoping it would decide to use it's voice. It's hard to drive (in traffic, no less!) while trying to look at the GPS to see where I am going. I thought I knew which street to turn on but I wasn't sure which direction so I missed the turn and pulled off. Now I was getting mad! Why isn't this stupid thing "talking"?? I looked it over to see if I could figure out any clues. Hmmm....I suddenly remembered what had happened in the dressing room. It might help to turn the volume up. Amazingly, after that it worked!

This got me thinking...

There are times I wonder why God isn't talking to me. I'm asking for directions cause I REALLY NEED TO KNOW WHERE TO GO! But I don't hear anything and I'm too impatient to sit and wait till I do, so I forge ahead and then miss my turn. Then I waste time back-tracking and feel frustrated. Why? Why do I do this? Wouldn't it have been better to sit and listen until I knew which direction to go? And maybe it would also help if I turn the volume on. Some of the things that put it in the "off" position may be doubt, unbelief, busyness, worry or fear. These definitely keep me from hearing. How about you?

"...in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength..." Isaiah 30:15

Take Courage...

...He's in the waiting...

This song, Take Courage, popped up on a playlist this morning and I was reminded how much I like it. The phrase that especially stood out to me was, He's in the waiting... 

I'm sure we all have things we're waiting for and sometimes the waiting can feel like wasted time. Recently, the Lord said to me, "There is joy in the waiting." So I've been looking for the joy. Here are a few things from this week. 

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One morning I went to work feeling rather sad and lonely. Before long a coworker arrived with his 3-year-old daughter in tow and a box of donuts. It brought a smile to my face. The daughter is a delight to chat with and donuts are my favorite. A bit later I found the little girl quietly sitting in the kitchen eating her donut. I sat down across from her and struck up a conversation. We talked of important things, such as, her new house, her new baby brother and our favorite colors. I found out that it isn't okay to have the same favorite color. Since hers is purple, she graciously offered that I could have pink. I wasn't so sure... None the less, it got my day off to a good start!

Yesterday I was getting ready to go to the bank at 3:30 and my manager said that I could go on home if I wanted to. I thought about that for a bit and decided I didn't want to, so instead I stopped at Dillons, and, on a whim, got a box of mini Cookies 'N Cream Cupcakes and took them back to the office. They were met with surprise and delight and enjoyed by all. 

In the evening I pulled out my old Andy Griffith movies and watched "A Wife for Andy". His friend, Barney, had quite some interesting ways of helping him (although he didn't want any help) and I got some good chuckles in. After that I rough-housed with the neighbors dog and laughed some more!

What brings you joy? Grab it and run! Don't let it pass you by!

He's in the waiting and in the waiting is joy.