I am now starting 2 businesses. www.handlesandbangles.com is manufactured handbags. Soon the bangles will appear. It has been interesting how one can connect with others around the world through emails. I love networking and the entrepreneurial element in me is being unleashed. I fear this new adventure, but the right doors open at the right time. I can't be in a hurry. It's OK to go at my own pace, to take in everything and slowly digest the parts and apply new information. I want the Lord to be glorified in this. Lord, keep Your light shining in this. www.simplygratefulgifts.com is more for the handcrafted things I like to make. It also cannot become a stress, but continue to be an enjoyment. Big Sale is coming up at Post Oak Mall in College Station next weekend. It should be fun.
Family stretching and stresses have opened up areas in me that have been hidden. The light reveals what is really in me. In that place I bow before my Maker and beg for His Touch in my life to be His Heart poured out filling the needs of my adult children. It is a new chapter of life. It is so precious knowing that Abba Daddy knows exactly how to work in all of us as we change. The release of parental control is uncomfortable and painful sometimes. The flitting butterflies glimmer in the sunshine of freedom, and return in a much more beautiful way than if I had held them captive.
God, You are so Good!!!
Friday, June 25, 2010
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Reflections
What is in a reflection pool? There are distortions. We don't really see ourselves clearly. The warps and ripples stretch and shrink the image to only a semblance of the true being. I don't know how to view myself right now. A career is ended...teaching, not only for pay, but homeschooling. 19 years of homeschooling. 4 1/2 years of public/private school teaching...2 1/2 at the beginning before family, and 2 at the end. So who am I really? I'm still the daughter of a Precious Heavenly Father. I will always be that. It will never change. In this life or the next. That will never change. What my Father wants at this point is not clear. I'm willing. I wait to hear. It's time to be still and know He is God. It time to lay down all expectations and responsibilities of the past and pick up a different set. Maybe I don't really want to see myself anyway. It's time to see His face more clearly. It's time to rearrange my priorities. It's not an empty nest, for now there are adult offspring living in my house (for a season). I don't know what that looks like, but again, it's time to be quiet and listen. The ripples will slowly settle. The water is still and clear. Perhaps there is a more humble person staring back at me, one who has seen the hand of God and relinquished control to Him. Possibly there's a more hopeful expression in trusting and not wrestling. There's a vision of a teen staring in the waters on a pond on the old farm. I brought my frustrations there. I watched the ripples. The still presence of the Lord always washed over me. I stood up and returned to the world at peace. That was many years ago. Wash it away again. It's time to walk away. Maybe this time I'll leave a spray of flowers in tribute for the Faithfulness I've experienced through all these years. Thank you, Lord. You never left me or forsook me.
Friday, March 5, 2010
Whispers of His Presence
How attentive am I to a distinctive rustle through the trees, a whisper of His presence? Simeon and Anna recognized the Messiah as a baby. The religious rulers crucified Him. Do I see Him when He brushes away my tears? Is He there when words are not enough? My sheep hear my Voice and they know Me. "Turn to the left." "Step this way." "Stand still." Hushed and gently He beckons. Creator of the Universe, Master of the Winds, still, small voice, "speak, Lord, for your servant hears."
Thursday, February 18, 2010
A New World with Just One Turn
A tiny key. When it is lost, we can't start the car or get in the house.
When it is found, it unlocks passage to duty or desire. So much has been written about the key to the heart, etc. There's myriads on the key to the kingdom. The search is endless for the key to power. There's no access to our world on the internet, our home, our friends, or eternity without a key.
The key? Look in the face of a child when we open that door. What does the child do? Walk in. In that face, we see a glimpse, a clue. We stand at the bottom of the stairs and with glee the little one jumps into our arms. The young swimmer jumps into the deep water, because Mom or Dad is nearby.
The simple childlike faith entitles us to the riches of the kingdom. We open the door and are never the same again.
Power comes only to those who hold the key in submission to the Master and vow to use it only for the sole glory and purpose of the Master. Power is lost the second self-interest emerges.
Only in this does the key turn.
When it is found, it unlocks passage to duty or desire. So much has been written about the key to the heart, etc. There's myriads on the key to the kingdom. The search is endless for the key to power. There's no access to our world on the internet, our home, our friends, or eternity without a key.
The key? Look in the face of a child when we open that door. What does the child do? Walk in. In that face, we see a glimpse, a clue. We stand at the bottom of the stairs and with glee the little one jumps into our arms. The young swimmer jumps into the deep water, because Mom or Dad is nearby.
The simple childlike faith entitles us to the riches of the kingdom. We open the door and are never the same again.
Power comes only to those who hold the key in submission to the Master and vow to use it only for the sole glory and purpose of the Master. Power is lost the second self-interest emerges.
Only in this does the key turn.
Do we take God for granted?
Just reading in Deuteronomy 4.
32 -33 Ask questions. Find out what has been going on all these years before you were born. From the day God created man and woman on this Earth, and from the horizon in the east to the horizon in the west—as far back as you can imagine and as far away as you can imagine—has as great a thing as this ever happened? Has anyone ever heard of such a thing? Has a people ever heard, as you did, a god speaking out of the middle of the fire and lived to tell the story?
34 Or has a god ever tried to select for himself a nation from within a nation using trials, miracles, and war, putting his strong hand in, reaching his long arm out, a spectacle awesome and staggering, the way God, your God, did it for you in Egypt while you stood right there and watched?
This was in a day when the Holy Spirit didn't come to each person when they accepted Jesus, God's Son, as personal Lord and Savior. Moses was charging the people before they went into the Promised Land. We can call to remembrance so much also of how God has spoken and moved in our lives. He truly is mighty!!!
32 -33 Ask questions. Find out what has been going on all these years before you were born. From the day God created man and woman on this Earth, and from the horizon in the east to the horizon in the west—as far back as you can imagine and as far away as you can imagine—has as great a thing as this ever happened? Has anyone ever heard of such a thing? Has a people ever heard, as you did, a god speaking out of the middle of the fire and lived to tell the story?
34 Or has a god ever tried to select for himself a nation from within a nation using trials, miracles, and war, putting his strong hand in, reaching his long arm out, a spectacle awesome and staggering, the way God, your God, did it for you in Egypt while you stood right there and watched?
This was in a day when the Holy Spirit didn't come to each person when they accepted Jesus, God's Son, as personal Lord and Savior. Moses was charging the people before they went into the Promised Land. We can call to remembrance so much also of how God has spoken and moved in our lives. He truly is mighty!!!
Monday, February 1, 2010
Acceptance
Acceptance. What does that mean? We crave the acceptance of others who will fully embrace us just as we are, without trying to be something better or fit in. Where do we find the filling for our soul? "Accepted in the beloved" the Bible says. Accepted and loved. Loved and accepted. I read 2 Chronicles 7:1 where Solomon's sacrifice was accepted when fire fell from heaven. The glory of the Lord so filled the temple that the priests couldn't enter. Back up a chapter and find the answer. 2 Chronicles 6:14 gives the key, "whole heart" toward God. That's difficult today... so many distractions and loyalties, but 100% toward God in my affections, focus, etc. 2 Chron 6:18 poses a question back in Old Testament history... Would God indeed dwell with men? Is that even possible? The rest of the chapter is full of heavy words about sin. The message is clear from Genesis to Revelation. If we repent, He will forgive, forget the past and shower us with love. Why did God demonstrate His acceptance of the sacrifice? There had to have been 100% repentance first. How awesome it is when God accepts the brokenhearted's sacrifice. The all-consuming fire of God is purifying, intense, and ALIVE!!! We don't serve a dead god. We serve a Living God Who grives over sin, but rejoices in the upturned face of childlike faith emanating an innocence rediscovered after repentance. So precious to be wrapped in those strong arms of refuge, support, love and ACCEPTANCE.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Ripples on the Water
Ripples bubble and gurgle in circular patterns at the disturbance where a stone pierced the calm. The patterns expand, diminish and disappear.
Today, my cup is full. The Lord has demonstrated that I am chosen and significant. By joining the accountability group at our church, the match is so profound. I needed to see a life reflecting the power of the resurrection. As a child weaned from her mother, I sit quietly and know He never took His eyes off of me from the moment I was conceived. Ephesians 1:6 says we are chosen before the foundation of the earth to be holy, blameless, etc. My eyes have seen that this is true. He is so constant, unchanging, consistent and true to His Word and Promises.
There are so many mysteries, but only pride would rob me of this special place of resting in my Daddy's arms. I don't have to have a theological debate on predestination, but I know He is consistent with passionately longing for everyone to "come to the water" "as the deer pants for water"... for now the thirsting is quenched. Somehow in His Sovereignty He knows in that place of Chosen who will be nestled in the Shepherd's arms. He knows those who are struggling and He knows when they will come to the end and find Him Sufficient.
Today, my cup is full. The Lord has demonstrated that I am chosen and significant. By joining the accountability group at our church, the match is so profound. I needed to see a life reflecting the power of the resurrection. As a child weaned from her mother, I sit quietly and know He never took His eyes off of me from the moment I was conceived. Ephesians 1:6 says we are chosen before the foundation of the earth to be holy, blameless, etc. My eyes have seen that this is true. He is so constant, unchanging, consistent and true to His Word and Promises.
There are so many mysteries, but only pride would rob me of this special place of resting in my Daddy's arms. I don't have to have a theological debate on predestination, but I know He is consistent with passionately longing for everyone to "come to the water" "as the deer pants for water"... for now the thirsting is quenched. Somehow in His Sovereignty He knows in that place of Chosen who will be nestled in the Shepherd's arms. He knows those who are struggling and He knows when they will come to the end and find Him Sufficient.
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