Tag Archives: sacrifice

Aug 14 2012

Living in the shadowlands

When one door closes, we hope another door opens. Is it faith? Is it faith in action? Who is actually behind the scenes directing the patterns of our life?  How do I account for those who wish me harm for their benefit? Certainly I have some control over my destination, do I not? Perhaps, but how do I justify miracles and coincidences and other unexplainable phenomena?

If I reside in the shadow of God’s wings, there I am protected from all possible harm. Yet I suffer. Life is full of paradoxes.

So when I hear the Lord instructing me to guard my heart, what is He basically telling me? How do I guard my heart? Do I withhold love from those who want to harm me? Jesus tells us to love our enemy, unconditionally. Perhaps we learn to love, give grace and embrace those who are hurting, while never following in their footsteps, lest we fall over the cliff alongside their treachery. In that way, I have guarded my life, my heart, while still obeying the commands of a Savior, who took the wrath of carnal man for the price of my soul.

I Corinthians 3:18 Stop deceiving yourselves.
If you think you are wise by this world’s standards, you need to become a fool to be truly wise. NLT2007

 

 

May 3 2012

Guess who’s coming to dinner?

A gardener is always elated to find a toad in the garden.

What fun it would be to have a toad cam. Sitting around the dining room table, the family discussed the possibilities of doing such a thing. We probably will not be able to, since I wanted to put the camera on the toad, and not just set up a camera to watch the toad. Googling such an adventure, there were a few sites that had recorded toads, but found nothing like what I had proposed. It sure would be fun and interesting.

I have witnessed a toad eat a worm. The worm was fairly large and the toad sucked it in like spaghetti. Swwwwwipppppp! and the worm was no more! I am not too happy about toads eating the worms in my yard, although I have plenty of them. I just would rather I saw Mr. Toad eating the mosquitos, ants or japanese beetles.

Which brings me to the horror of watching a spider eat a butterfly. This happened just yesterday, shortly after taking this fellow’s picture. I saw the dangling Painted Lady, caught in a Wolf Spider’s web, and tried to rescue it before the spider found dinner. Wh@t!  I was too late. Dinner was served!

“Poetry is the art of creating imaginary gardens with real toads.”
Marianne Moore  (American Poet, 1887-1972)

Mar 5 2012

Set Us Free

Today, I am being reminded that I am bought at a cost. I am broken but not crushed, healed and held close to my Heavenly Father’s heart. In the palm of His Hands He holds me, giving reassurance that I am never forsaken or forgotten. I may travel this world, alone and lonely, but I am just a prayer away from being heard and understood. Jesus, in the garden, fell on His knees, lifting the creation to the Creator. God heard. Jesus obeyed. I trust.

By His wounds we are healed. Are your wounds still gaping, in need of the loving touch of Our Savior? I will lift you in prayer today, dear friend.

Peace, not as the world gives, but as Jesus can only give your heart and mind. In all things acknowledge Him, and He will set you free.

Jeannelizabeth©

Nov 14 2011

The year was 1974

Eva was poor. Her family did not have much and the Christmas party at school was approaching. My classmates and I had drawn names after Thanksgiving break and Eva had picked me. Everyone teased that I would end up with nothing. My heart grew anxious and I feared they would start to edge me out of the “hip” group.

“Everyone pass your presents out to whomever you picked.” Miss Wiggles was never very friendly, even for a teacher. We nicknamed her that for Miss Wiegel, but we all secretly thought her a witch.

Eva handed me the hand-crocheted, dish-detergent based basket. It was yellow and cheery, but I could hear the girls snickering in the corner. As I undid the crocheted ribbon, a little doll with a yellow knit dress lay at the bottom. I liked it. I did not speak or look at the girls in the corner of the room. Even as a child, I knew it had taken Eva’s grandmother some time to make that gift and I cherished it. Still in my head, the giggles pierced my heart and it broke in two for Eva, who was obviously embarrassed by the gift. It was not store bought like everyone else’s present.

To this day I find myself thinking back to this third grade moment. It really was just a moment. Much has taken place since then. I remember Eva in high school. She had a boyfriend, Shane, and I do believe they ended up marrying. I often wonder how their life turned out, if she knows Jesus, and if I were to see her ever again, would I tell her how much that gift meant to me. It was clearly a gift of love. I think most of all, I would give her a hug.

This was the closest thing I could find on the web that resembled my purse… http://crochetit.blogspot.com/2010/01/free-baby-youre-star-cradle-purse.html

Now imagine it is all yellow, with the bottom of a dish detergent bottle as a base, and the rest crocheted.

Acts 20:35 (NKJV) 35 I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” What of the women who gave all she had? Was she not more blessed than all the rest? In some ways she was. Sometimes people say it is the thought that counts, but I like to think it is the sacrifice you make to bless someone else which honors God. Have a Merry Christmas!