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Never Too Young For God to Speak

“You, child, will be called a prophet of the Most High.
You will go ahead of the Lord to prepare His Way,
You will make his people know that they can be saved through the forgiveness of their sins.
A new day will dawn on us from above
because our God is loving and merciful.”
Luke 1:76-78

They had longed for and prayed for God to give them a child, but their age had made it an
impossible dream. They had been faithful servants of the God of Israel, but any hope of having a baby of their own was gone.

But God’s Timing is perfect.

When Zechariah and Elizabeth had passed the point of “possibility” . . . God gave them John,
and He laid out His Plan for that pre-born baby boy. Speaking to the tiny life growing in
Elizabeth’s womb, God gave the child His Purpose, and his name: John. He would be the
Voice in the desert, announcing and preparing his nation for the One soon to come into the
world during John’s lifetime. The mission God would give their son in his adult life:
Announcing and preparing his nation for the Messiah’s coming. All those years of longing for a baby. . . and Hope was gone. Only God’s Intervention could make it possible.

And He did. . . in a direct Communication from God, while still in his mama’s womb, God gave
that tiny human his Purpose in life. His message would be laying the Groundwork for the
coming Messiah, already being “knit together” in his Cousin Mary’s womb.

God gives us a Glimpse of how and who He uses to carry out His Words, Love, and Purposes in this world. Luke, a chosen disciple of Jesus, gives us through his writings, a glimpse of God’s preparations through un-likely people . . . even infants and small children . . . to join Him in bringing His Light into our dark world. Sometimes even little ones give us pearls of wisdom that come through the mouths of babes…a most unexpected source.

May we be willing and obedient “children” to listen to our Father’s Words and speak them in a dark world waiting for His Light.

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Feeling Forgotten?

“Although mothers may forget,
I will not forget you.
I have engraved you on
the palms of My Hands.”
Isaiah 49:15-16

I need to make little reminders to myself, but not at a convenient moment when I have a piece of paper and a pencil handy. So, I will make the note on my own hand. That way I’m sure not to lose it in the bottom of my purse or the floor of my car.

I find it very interesting that God refers His Words about “forgetting” to mothers. I don’t sense any condemnation or criticism in His Words. . . rather a universal reality acknowledging the seemingly endless pieces of information for which mothers have to keep track on a daily . . . hourly. . . minute-by-minute basis concerning the children, people, and details in her life. Some of those details we do simply forget.

Because mothers are usually the more present parent in their child’s life, she becomes the one to whom her children automatically look as their frequent needs and desires come to their little minds and hearts.

It’s been a common scenario since the beginning of Time.

Feeling forgotten by a parent is a painful experience. If the one who gave birth to you is gone, there is a human nature dynamic that is instinctual . . . not contrived nor imposed. It’s a part of the “wiring” that God used from the Beginning of His Creation of life on this earth between the “Birth-er” and the “Birth-ee.”

But it’s also a part of human nature to forget. But, by God’s perfect Design, the seemingly most impossible “forgetting” situation would be that of a mother forgetting her child. It would be like forgetting your own arm or leg. Someone who had been divinely a part of her own body will always have that Created link, no matter what may damage that in life.

What a profound parallel God makes to that global Truth that has been in existence since Creation! It’s an example to which every human being can relate since The Beginning.
Our Father in Heaven, Who brought human life into existence by His Own Hands, not through a womb, has each of us permanently imprinted there. On His Hand.

The only thing He forgets is the sin His Son’s Blood has covered.

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The Vine (with a twist)

“I am the Vine….you are the branches.
Abide in Me…and you will live.”

John 15:5

This morning, checking my little flower garden beside my back porch, I discovered, much to my delight and surprise, that my favorite flowering vine had sent out a new little tendril, which had somehow reached, through mid-air, to a tall shepherd’s hook about a yard away from the blossoming vine. There was nothing but air between the vine and the shepherd’s hook to which it had now begun to wind itself.

I was delighted . . . yet surprised and puzzled. I know, from the growing bouquet of bright red, large blossoms, that the shepherd’s hook will soon extend that original beautiful “bouquet” further into the garden far beyond what I could have hoped.

I couldn’t help but think of the Words of Jesus, as He taught His dear followers, using a word picture they were seeing as they walked with Him in the countryside.

My dear, Good Shepherd Whispered to my heart the Words He had spoken to His closest followers as they walked along with Him.

I don’t know how that Vine reached across the space and onto that shepherd’s hook. I did not see it happen. But carried by nothing tangible, it had reached beyond where it was planted and blooming, and was now beginning to bring beauty to a plain old, rusty-black shepherd’s staff among the stones.

That’s what Jesus does with us . . . for us. Apart from Him…the Vine….we’re sure to become a shriveled, droopy, dying blossom. We’ll hit the ground eventually, and again become part of the earth.

But the blossoms still connected to the Vine continue to bring color and life and beauty to a landscape of rocks and dirt. A vine moves…extends…and nobody sees it happen. It simply does. And its blossoms will come, open,and bring beauty to a spot that had nothing but stones and a plain, rusty pole.

I am sure that I will soon see that Shepherd’s Hook “blooming” soon.

Our Good…GOOD Shepherd does that as He leads us to places beyond where we were planted. And through our lives that are wrapped around Him, beauty…color…fragrance…
will extend to the rocky places that had no beauty nor life before. It often happens in unexpected ways, and not by human orchestration. That’s part of what makes it so special.

No person can take credit for the new color and fragrance that has entered a plain, rocky place. He simpy chooses to share His surprises in unexpected places where He has brought new life and all ofits beauty.

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Little Bird

“Aren’t five sparrows sold for two cents?
God doesn’t forget any of them.”
Luke 12:6

She poked with her little beak from inside her shell. A glimmer of light peeked in and began to illuminate her dark, protective space. She liked that! Her tiny eyes began to see the only space she knew, and the light beyond, which was calling to her.

Soon she was free, able to fluff her soft down that was drying in the fresh air she was breathing for the first time. She began to try out her wings and learn to spread them out from their long, cramped shell-time. Mama Bird brought a little food, and Little Bird instinctively opened her tiny beak. Yum! She decided to just keep her little beak open . . . ready for the next tasty morsel of food.

Each day, she grew stronger. Her feathers began to appear through the soft down. She
practiced flapping her little wings. Mama brought little bugs and seeds for her. But one day,
Mama didn’t come. Little Bird had to find her own bugs as she waited in her nest.

She remembers the day when Mama came, but with no food. She had decided it was time to send Little Bird out of the nest. It was scary! Her wings did not work very well yet. She had never been out in the air by herself.

Her fall was rather traumatic, but she somehow was able to flap her little wings enough to
soften the blow of the earth upon which she landed. This strange new space upon which she now must learn seemed unending. It was full of interesting, yet scary, new discoveries.
In her fall, one of her little wings had been damaged. She had to learn new skills to compensate for her wounded wing. She couldn’t fly like the other birds. Her flight style was tough. . . She couldn’t soar. She could “flap” and get around her earth space enough to survive, but it was not with the freedom and grace of other birds.

But God’s Eye was on her. He knew of her fall and of the damage it had caused to her. And she knew instinctively that He was keeping watch.

One day, a handsome male bird caught her attention. And she caught his. He was strong. He
was safe. He wanted to make a nest with her. He had chosen her.

At first, it was exciting . . . wonderful . . . lovely. But over time, the damage done by her
premature first flight would get in the way of her ability to soar as other birds did. She had to find ways to compensate. She had to be tough, to make up for the damage done by her fledgling wounds. “Normal” was not easy for her. She was not like most birds of her little world. Her old wounds affected her ability to truly “soar.” But she could flap well… not as gracefully or easily as most, but she learned to compensate enough to make her life work.

Her damaged wing would never be completely mended, but she was still the same little bird who had freed herself from her shell. She was strong. She could fly, in her own unique way.
She was still that little bird who had survived and learned how to compensate for the wounds she carries. And one day, as she continues to battle her limitations, she may truly be able to soar, in her own unique way.

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Knowing Who You Are

“”The Father had put everything in Jesus’ control.
Jesus knew that.
He also knew that He had come from God and was going back to God.
So He got up from the table,
Removed His outer clothes, took a towel and tied it around His waist.
Then He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet
and dry them with the towel He had tied around His waist.”
John 13:3-5

Do you know who you are? . . . Who you truly are? In our world, there is quite a lot of focus
on self-discovery. Self-image. Self-worth. Human dignity. Coming to personal clarity about the answers to those questions is important. That clarity has an impact on how we choose to live out our lives.

Looking at Jesus’ example, though, throws a perspective that, in my mind, does not at all fit
human logic. In human thinking, someone who has “come from God” and “was going back to God” would be miles above and ahead of mere mortals. He would be far above human
intelligence, abilities, status and power. He would be the one being served . . .at the highest
levels.

But immediately following the statement of Who He was, what His power encompassed, and the future position He would hold, He walked away from His position, removed His human personal identity, and replaced it with a servant’s towel. He not only looked the part of a servant, but He did what a good servant would do. One by one. Taking the time. . . foot by dirty foot . . . wiping away the dust and dirt that gets between toes and in the nails and rough calluses of feet that have been walking on the dusty, dirty ground of this earth. The bowl of water is on the ground.

The foot-washer is kneeling on the ground in front of you. You are seeing the water become
cloudy and dirty from what is being removed from your feet. You are feeling the hands that are touching, holding, and wiping . . . even between those rough, calloused, dirty toes . . .

There is nothing pleasant nor simple about the process the “foot-washer” carries out.
But the Hands that are doing the work are such a beautiful Gift. Truly a tangible act of love and care.

I had an experience in the desert refugee camps that I will never forget. Totally exhausted, I
had sat down on the floor of the tent, leaning against a hard cushion propped against the “wall” of the tent, and fallen into a sound sleep. I remember slowly becoming aware of my foot being cradled in a gentle hand, and cool water being tenderly wiped across my foot…between my toes, ….around my nails. One foot . . . and then the other.

One of the women of our team was kneeling at my feet as I slept, with a basin of clean water and a soft cloth. As I slowly drifted back to awareness, the tender act of kindness and care was like nothing I had ever experienced before. It was too wonderful to protest. The harshness of the desert . . . the exhaustion of this world . . . all faded away as those gentle hands wiped away the evidence that clung to my skin.

It was a soft Kiss from Heaven to my soul. Jesus does that for us, if we let Him.
So grab a towel . . . and a basin of fresh water. Down on your knees . . . touch your world.

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Mirror, Mirror on the Wall…

“Now we see a blurred image in a mirror;
Then…we will see very clearly.
Now my knowledge is incomplete.
Then I will have complete knowledge,
As God has complete knowledge of me.”
1 Corinthians 13:12

How often in a day do you look in a mirror? What are some of the thoughts that go
through your mind as you are looking? (I’ll give you a moment to honestly think on that…) 😉

I have never counted the times in a day that I look in a mirror. Whether it’s a glance, or
a close-up focus, … with lighting, or in my car. Each morning it is an essential part of
my routine.

When I am in the desert, however, it is not easy to find a mirror. IF there is one, it is
usually a “cloudy” reflection (which can be a blessing, considering the scarcity of
cosmetic supplies there!) Often, my first mirror experience after leaving the desert is a
rather jolting moment, followed by a frantic search through my carry-on bag for the
emergency implements and products I hope I brought with me! Thankfully, in the
camps, most of my face is covered, and not an issue. . . unless the wind grabs my
gauzy wrap that was tucked in place for just such an event.

Our culture makes a big deal of our outward appearance. It’s a part of our human
nature. Ancient cultures also valued outward appearance. Scripture includes many stories and mentions of outward appearance. In ancient times, “mirrors” were metal surfaces that
had been polished to make a reflection possible. (check out your metal pots to see how
well they reflect your face! Paul’s “blurred image” makes a lot of sense!)

The way we see ourselves personally and spiritually is not with a high quality mirror.
What we see is not with the clarity and detail of the reality. God sees the reality. Plus,
He knows how we see ourselves. He knows the blurred vision we have of ourselves.
Some of us see a great image looking back at us. But most of us see the flaws. That is
likely the most common reason for looking in the mirror. . . wanting to improve our
reflection, not to admire it.

What a sweet Perspective dear Paul gives about that part of our human nature. It
clearly includes our spiritual nature, as well. We are looking at ourselves through a very
scratched, flawed, distorted lens. We are seeing our human reality with our human
eyes. It is not a very good picture!

BUT….someday…when God is showing each of us the way He sees us, you….me….,
and we are seeing what He sees without the “dimness” through our human lens, it will
be through the Lens of His dearly loved Son. . . Who valued us ….loved us….enough to
be “in the Mirror” with us for all of Eternity.

He is in that Picture now, with each one who has come near to Him, and let Him come
near to them.

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When They Say “You Can’t!”

“I can do all through Christ,
Who strengthens me.”
Philippians 4:13

We were young, pouring our energies and hearts into a fledgling “street ministry.” We also had a tiny, newborn son. Taking our seats at the desk of a tax accountant to whom we had been referred, we waited for her to begin our meeting. As she looked up from our financial documents before her, she said, “I didn’t know that anyone in America can actually live on what you make!”

Thus began our first income tax meeting as a new, young family. My husband, Bill, had been
pouring his energies into reaching out to the growing numbers of troubled youth on the main street of our city. There were increasing incidences of outbreaks of violence, a developing concern with which the people of our city were becoming increasingly alarmed. Bill, who had been a troubled teenager and drug-user, had a big heart for the kids who were without any sense of purpose in life. He knew the turmoil going on inside, because he had lived through years of the same.

I, on the other hand, was a “pastor’s kid” . . . who had never even been exposed to troubled
youth who had no awareness or experience of the loving God I had come to know and love from a very early age.

When Bill and I married, our new family began immediately. Bill’s focus was on reaching the
troubled youth of our city, introducing them to Hope through Jesus, Who had changed Bill’s life. We had no “income” from our fledgling work with troubled youth.

As a “PK” (Pastor’s Kid), I was very familiar with “ministry” being a priority in life….regardless of whether income was adequate or not. It was usually not. But I had experienced God’s care and provision often in my family, so had a firm trust that God would take care of our needs as we trusted Him in the Kingdom efforts He had placed before us.

At this, our first meeting with a tax agent as a young married couple, including our newborn son, we watched her look through the financial paperwork we had brought to her. On paper, it did not look possible for our little family to survive on those financial numbers. But we had been faithfully cared for by the God Who had asked us to join Him in bringing Hope to hearts of kids who were empty and wounded. . . and without Hope.

Despite the black-and-white numbers on the tax documents, God had met our needs. And He often did it through sweet surprises from strangers, or Believers who saw a growing trail of “street kids” filing down the aisle behind Bill in a welcoming church, filling up row upon row of pews, and singing songs of gratitude to the One Who had brought Hope and Light and Love into their personal darkness.

Now, decades later, and having experienced a lifetime of holding tightly to Jesus’ scarred Hand, I am so very grateful for His Presence in my life. . . . through the good and the bad. He has been that Constant Source of Strength . . . and all that I have needed through the many
decades I have walked with Him. He remains faithful.

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Above the Rules

“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 faint.”
Psalm 62:5

I live very near to a large pond that is full of fish. Now…before you fishermen get too excited, I need to tell you that there is a prominent posting that reads “Catch and Release” only. However, there is a large eagle which perches on the very top of a tall evergreen tree.
That guy is not following the rules.

His high, treetop perch appears to be quite unsteady, to my eyes. It’s a scrawny,
crooked little branch, but strong enough to hold Mr. Eagle’s weight as he looks down on
the pond. He sits motionless . . . and watches. He waits.

And then, he swoops down to the glassy water’s surface, and with a little splash picks
up a fish. Then away he soars. I could not see what he was seeing. From my view, I
could only see the reflections of sky and trees on the water’s surface. I’m down on the
level of the pond. He was looking down from his high skinny tree top.

Mr. Eagle has broken the rule. He “caught.” But he did not release. He brought
“home” what he needed in order to be strong . . . what he needs to be able to soar.
And he was also likely going to share his “catch” with some little “peeps” in a nest.

God created that eagle to be able to soar. He created us to soar with Him. . . like
eagles. He wants us to walk with Him. He wants us to run with Him. The key is that we
focus on and move with Him. The distractions, the fears, the worries and
disappointments must not take our focus off of Him. We can sit on the tree top and see
what He has for us, but if we never leave the safe branch we’re on, we’ll miss out on
what He has in mind for our lives. We’ll miss out on all that He has provided for our own
good, and the good of others whose lives we touch.

So don’t sit on that tree top admiring all the potential right in your own backyard. Go for
it. Take the leap. . . Fly!!!

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Bruised and Smoldering

“A bruised reed He will not break, and A smoldering wick He will not snuff out.”
Isaiah 42:3

I was about 14 years old, and not doing well. In those days, (yes…long ago), people did not talk much about depression. . . certainly not for Christians to experience. And certainly not
concerning a young teenager.

But I was very, very sad. I spent lots of time in my bedroom, with the door shut and alone. I
was a “PK” . . . a Pastor’s Kid. I had known Jesus’ presence in my life since I was about 3 years old. I knew that He was in my heart, and that He loved me. But I was not doing well at all, not understanding the sadness that was filling my heart and mind.

I remember sitting down on my bed, and picking up my Bible. It was a very familiar Book for
me, and I knew that God was always near, and that He would always listen to me when I talked to Him.

But I was going through a very dark time in my young life. . . for the first time. I did not doubt His love for me. I did not doubt that He was as near to me in my sadness and in my very room. I had never experienced such an overwhelming emotion of sadness and hopelessness before. There were things going on in my personal world that were making me feel things I had not felt before.

I remember silently saying to God something like, “God, I don’t know what to do with the deep sadness I am feeling. But I know that I very much need to hear something from You to stop this dark feeling in my heart. I need Your Help!”
I let my Bible fall open on my lap as I sat on the edge of my bed. The page that was before me was not from a familiar place in my Bible. My eyes fell on a verse I did not remember ever hearing before.

“A bruised reed He will not break,
And a smoldering wick
He will not snuff out.”
Isaiah 42:3

As I read the verse through my tears, I knew that I was that “bruised reed”, and I was that
“smoldering wick.” And I knew that there was only a tiny glimmer of light, a dying wick that held any hope for me.

But it was enough of a glimmer for God to so gently breathe into life. It was enough for Him to work with, tiny as it was. It was enough to reassure me that He was in my room with me. He saw me. He saw that tiny wick about to go out. No shame. No “tsk-tsk” about my sadness. And with the gentlest of a Whispered Breath, that little speck of flame began to glow again. I knew He was so very near. . . and He was not going to let it die. It was enough for the waning ember to return to a small flame. . .

The bruised reed began to mend. The tiny glimmer began to glow. And neither have ever
again been so near to being snuffed out since that Day, long ago, when God came so very
near.

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Talking to Myself

“For God alone, O my soul,
wait in silence,
For my Hope is in Him.”
Psalm 62:5

Do you talk to yourself?

I am in a stage of life that gives me a lot of quiet time throughout most days. I’m quite
comfortable with that. But I do find myself talking to myself quite often. Sometimes I even
answer myself. (shhh….let’s keep that just between us, if you don’t mind!)
I know that I am not alone in this sort of activity. I find comfort in reading the Psalms of David, and he talked to himself quite a lot, too. So I am in good company.

What do I talk to myself about? Stuff like, “Now, where did I put ?” “Why did I come in here?” “What should I wear today?” “Why do I have all this stuff?” “Why did I say
that?”

What do you talk to yourself about?

Sometimes we need to talk to ourselves, like David, and remind ourselves of Truth that we have learned through past mistakes, through experience, and through good advice we have gotten from wise people in our lives. We need to remind ourselves of Truth that God has whispered to us in the past. . . often repeatedly.

Some nuggets of wisdom that we can glean from David’s personal conversation with his soul are worth our own consideration, “. . . For God alone , O my soul . . . “ The deepest core issue is that my very innermost “self”, the part of me that will continue on forever, long after my earthly life is finished, must focus on God more than anything else in life. What things of this earth take up most of my thoughts?

Most of my time? Most of my worries? Most of my energy? When do you / I intentionally
Pause all the noise of our day, and simply listen to silence. When do you give your full
attention to the silence that allows the Still…Small…Voice of God to be heard by your soul.
“…Wait in silence. . .” How much “silence” is in your day? The TV is off. The radio is off. The
phone is silenced. The music is paused.

Who does most of the talking to your soul . . mind . . . heart?

Maybe you need to ask yourself what you are afraid to hear in that silence.
“… for my Hope is in Him.”

We are all very experienced in the ways we personally choose to avoid listening to His Voice. But…
Thank You, God! . . . He continues to listen for ours.