Deep Thoughts and Little Happenings

God uses all sorts of people to do His work.  I've had relationships with people who were like sandpaper or even more like sandblasters in my life.  Those encounters usually left me feeling raw and exposed, but I believe those people were a necessary part of God's refining love.  He gave them to me, so He could remove the callouses around my heart; callouses that were preventing me from being tender toward Him and others. Thankfully, He's surrounded me with others who are always happy to see me, and stick close when I make messes...people who are like a well used quilt that wraps me in the quilt maker's love.  Those people are living pictures of God's love for me.  They are love in action.  Their love goes beyond feelings and thoughts to actually doing life with me.  Those are the ones who press in closer and surround me with their strength and courage.  They allow me to draw from their storehouse, so that I will not grow weary and give up....

A precious friend recently gave me a book she bought at a second hand shop.  She actually keeps them on hand to give to those she believes will be blessed by its message of truth.  It's one of those little cardboard books you buy for very young children, and I'm telling you this because... The LORD's been trying to teach me truth about my identity for quite some time now.  Maybe all my life.  For some unknown reason, I've always struggled with being valuable.  Don't be confused.  I knew I was loved and valuable to those who were significant to me; God, George, family, and close friends.  The problem was my understanding of that love.  It was shrouded in obligation.  I believed they were obligated to love me because of who they were; because of their God-given role in my life. Yes, I know how skewed that is, but there it is.  It's an ugly un-truth that I actually held close and nurtured.  I consoled myself with it when I didn't s...

We recently went home to GA for my family's reunion.  That's a long trip, so we usually stop over in NC and spend a night with our daughter's family. Anyway, while there, Jeremy showed us his new First Person View (FPV) Camera he bought for the quad-copter he built. The camera comes with these big black goggle looking things that you strap on your head.  You guessed it!  George and I had to try them.   Wow!  I could see everyone and everything Jeremy pointed the camera towards. Truthfully?  It was more than a little disconcerting to have no control of what I was seeing.   I couldn't change what I saw by turning my head or body, but I could sit still and get a changing view.  I didn't have control of the camera, but the camera was controlling what I could see!   If I was in a cartoon, my lightbulb would've been flashing overhead.  I haven't stopped thinking about how the FPV camera was like seeing from God's perspective.   ...

George recently said something to me that rocked my world.  He told me to quit trying to be someone else because he loved the girl he married.  Wow!  I'm a chatterbox and easily excitable (George kindly calls me passionate).  I tend to be impulsive and yet struggle a lot with doubt.  I stand on the fence of indecision too many times.  Why?  Fear of doing it wrong.  Fear of disappointing those I love!  Anyway, what George said was freedom for me.  He likes who I am.  He's not waiting for me to grow up, change or mature before he likes who I am. I'm trying to carry that same truth into the spiritual.  The One who created me the way I am didn't mess up when He made me.  Every single one of my unique and quirky characteristics were chosen and given to me with intention.  Yes!  I need to be redirected and I need to learn to use who I am for the right purposes, but... The One who made me w...

Today I'm exploring the other side of "pocket" freedom.  I'm thinking what I put in my "right pocket" brings as much freedom as what I choose to leave for God to handle. It took me a little while, but I was finally able to answer the question of what I want.  I had to know that before I could choose what to put in my pocket, right?! What do I want?  I want the LORD's perspective.  Having His perspective will allow me to quickly discern the deceptive half-truths of this world.  I need His perspective on who He is, who I am, who others are, and every situation I encounter.   I might be wrong, but I think knowing God's perspective will spur me to action; free me to live full-tilt AND without fear.  Plus, it will help me clearly discern what belongs in my left pocket! In seeking His perspective, there are three things I must practice with intention.  1) Keep reading His Word because the Bible reveals Him and how He thinks. 2) Pause in wha...