The sun will no more be your light by day, nor will the brightness of the moon shine on you, for the Lord will be your everlasting light, and God will be your glory. Isaiah 60:19 NIV
"That bug is sure dumb," my daughter shared as we relaxed in the swimming pool.
"What do you mean?" I questioned.
"It just flew straight into the wall." Certainly not a smart thing to do, but it got me thinking about bugs. This really isn't my favorite subject I mean after all they are bugs.
A realization came over me though, maybe bugs really aren't so dumb. Maybe there is something to the life of a bug. Where do they go when it's dark? The light. A bug is smart enough to know it doesn't want to live in the darkness, it would rather be where there's light.
Why avoid the darkness? Maybe because predators lurk in the dark just waiting to eat them. If a bug can figure out it doesn't like the darkness, why can't we?
Why do people hide in the dark? Do they enjoy living awaiting for the attack of the predators? Is there a reason to hide away from the light?
Sure there's shame, things we don't want anyone to know about us. It's easier to live like nobody knows what we've done because if we admitted what we've done nobody would look at us the same again. The light will reveal the problem we have.
The light though will not only free us from the darkness and the shame, but bring us back into fellowship with others. Just like a bunch of bugs surround the only light in the darkness.The love from the body of Christ will help us overcome the darkness and give us the glory of God.
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Tuesday, July 17, 2012
Able to Laugh
Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. Psalm 126:2 NIV
I knew it was a long shot, but once again I heard MR. BIG VOICE. The tenth caller wins ice cream, so why not try.
Earlier I tried and the phone actually rang instead of the annoying buzzing. I was almost afraid to hang up but after 50 rings it was time to throw in the towel. This time it rang the first time I tired, so I awaited the 50 rings before I hung up again.
I worked my puzzle and listened to the busy chatter of 4 children. "Are you 18?" the voice on the other end asked.
"Yes, I am 18." I answered back not sure why I was asked but figured it had to do something with winning the ice cream. Seconds passed...reality set in...did I just say I was 18?
Quickly I corrected myself, after all I can't lie. Especially, since I am the mother of an 18 year old. Later, I got to listen to myself on the radio as I made a fool of myself. The laughter bubbled over in my daughter, my husband, the children in my care, and in myself as it was rather comical. Later my sons got a laugh when the story was retold to them.
Sometimes my days get so crazy and stressed that I forget to laugh. The tension rises in me until my jaw is tight and I feel as if I could explode at any moment. Sometimes the things everybody else laughs at is just not funny to me, and I wonder am I taking life to serious?
Laughter is good for the soul, it relieves the tension and helps bring joy back into the day. Hopefully, I can remember this the next time I get to tense. It's also good to be able to laugh at myself when I get caught off guard.
Take time to laugh...
I knew it was a long shot, but once again I heard MR. BIG VOICE. The tenth caller wins ice cream, so why not try.
Earlier I tried and the phone actually rang instead of the annoying buzzing. I was almost afraid to hang up but after 50 rings it was time to throw in the towel. This time it rang the first time I tired, so I awaited the 50 rings before I hung up again.
I worked my puzzle and listened to the busy chatter of 4 children. "Are you 18?" the voice on the other end asked.
"Yes, I am 18." I answered back not sure why I was asked but figured it had to do something with winning the ice cream. Seconds passed...reality set in...did I just say I was 18?
Quickly I corrected myself, after all I can't lie. Especially, since I am the mother of an 18 year old. Later, I got to listen to myself on the radio as I made a fool of myself. The laughter bubbled over in my daughter, my husband, the children in my care, and in myself as it was rather comical. Later my sons got a laugh when the story was retold to them.
Sometimes my days get so crazy and stressed that I forget to laugh. The tension rises in me until my jaw is tight and I feel as if I could explode at any moment. Sometimes the things everybody else laughs at is just not funny to me, and I wonder am I taking life to serious?
Laughter is good for the soul, it relieves the tension and helps bring joy back into the day. Hopefully, I can remember this the next time I get to tense. It's also good to be able to laugh at myself when I get caught off guard.
Take time to laugh...
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
All Alone...
And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. Matthew 28:20b
Have you ever felt alone? Like you were nobody, unimportant, invisible...
During my high school years this happened to me a few times. Lunch time is one of the worst memories I have of high school. Unlike elementary school or middle school you're free to sit wherever you want. The freedom to choose, only problem no one would choose me.
If I got there and found a table no one would sit with me. My friends would always have a different lunch period. Eventually, I found someone to eat with, but it took time. It hurts not to be chosen, and left alone.
Funny thing is, it still happens to me today at times. My family will go to a potluck supper and we'd get a table first and no one chooses to sit with us. They choose to sit other places. Now at these I'm not alone, I'm with my family but it still hurts all the same that I'm not chosen.
This happened to me during my week at camp. During one of the meals a couple of the girls sat with me at a table, and no one choose to sit with us. I felt bad for the girls, so the next meal I told them to go ahead and sit with their friends. I could tell it hurt them to not be chosen. Then I picked a table to sit at, one with one seat open. I asked about the opened spot, and at first no one was sitting there. Then when I grabbed it to sit in, they said "sorry someones sitting there."
I looked around and the only place available was a table with no one else at it. So I sat all alone, with a tightness in my throat and tears in my eyes as it brought back memories. Luckily, though I wasn't alone for long.
Abandonment was once again felt this past weekend, as I was left alone to complete work that was suppose to be done together. This time the tears wouldn't stay away because I didn't think I was suppose to ever feel alone in my own home. Apologies were made. But once again I felt unimportant, that something else was selected above me.
The truth is I'm never truly alone. People may hurt me, and feel I'm unworthy. But the Lord, he is always with me and he loves me so much that he was willing to die for me. I can always hold onto the truth that I am worthy!
Have you ever felt alone? Like you were nobody, unimportant, invisible...
During my high school years this happened to me a few times. Lunch time is one of the worst memories I have of high school. Unlike elementary school or middle school you're free to sit wherever you want. The freedom to choose, only problem no one would choose me.
If I got there and found a table no one would sit with me. My friends would always have a different lunch period. Eventually, I found someone to eat with, but it took time. It hurts not to be chosen, and left alone.
Funny thing is, it still happens to me today at times. My family will go to a potluck supper and we'd get a table first and no one chooses to sit with us. They choose to sit other places. Now at these I'm not alone, I'm with my family but it still hurts all the same that I'm not chosen.
This happened to me during my week at camp. During one of the meals a couple of the girls sat with me at a table, and no one choose to sit with us. I felt bad for the girls, so the next meal I told them to go ahead and sit with their friends. I could tell it hurt them to not be chosen. Then I picked a table to sit at, one with one seat open. I asked about the opened spot, and at first no one was sitting there. Then when I grabbed it to sit in, they said "sorry someones sitting there."
I looked around and the only place available was a table with no one else at it. So I sat all alone, with a tightness in my throat and tears in my eyes as it brought back memories. Luckily, though I wasn't alone for long.
Abandonment was once again felt this past weekend, as I was left alone to complete work that was suppose to be done together. This time the tears wouldn't stay away because I didn't think I was suppose to ever feel alone in my own home. Apologies were made. But once again I felt unimportant, that something else was selected above me.
The truth is I'm never truly alone. People may hurt me, and feel I'm unworthy. But the Lord, he is always with me and he loves me so much that he was willing to die for me. I can always hold onto the truth that I am worthy!
Tuesday, July 3, 2012
A Storm...
Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. Matthew 7:7
Months of anticipation were soon becoming a disappointment. I prayed for good weather and I had no idea why a Tropical Storm (TS) was sitting over Florida.
Have you ever watched the weather when a TS is sitting out in the water? We now have a cone of error to predict which way the storm is going to go. One moment you're out of the cone and the next you're back in. The rain actually started 5 days before we were to leave for camp. Now with most storms 2 to 3 days of rain and then clear skies once again.
This storm was different, they all have the unique ways. TS Debby decided she liked the gulf and wanted to hang around awhile. It rained 4 steady days and from the prediction of the meteorologists it seemed to what to linger for another week.
My prayer was not only for good weather for camp, but for nothing to be canceled. I've been to camp when things are canceled, and sitting inside watching movies is no fun. I trusted God to come through, but the weather didn't seem to be in our favor.
Before we left for camp we all circle up to pray. My prayer again was for good weather even when it seemed against what was predicted. As we walked out the door, the sun shone down from behind the clouds. It only lasted 30 seconds, but for me it was an assurance that God had this.
Our trip up to camp was uneventful and safe. It rained off and on, which continued as we registered and headed to where we'd each be staying. The next day was a little less wet, the rain came when we were involved in an activity. It poured that entire night as the storm went through the county above us.
This is picture is of the sky the next morning. The last few days of camp were beautiful. In fact, one group of campers got to play a game that hadn't been played yet because of the weather. A couple of things did get canceled, but that was it. This actually was one of the best weather weeks at camp this summer so far.
God is so awesome! I don't know why I doubted and felt disappointed. I should have remembered that if I ask, seek, and knock God will come through!
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