Saturday, June 28, 2008

the last puzzle piece

In the movie "Jerry McGuire," Tom Cruise tells Rene Zellweger, "You complete me." He's really making points with her by saying this to her because the need to feel complete is so great in each of us. He is saying that whatever is lacking in his life, she satisfies that lack. My guess is that she believes if she completes him, then he will do the same for her. This makes for a good movie scene but we in the real world know that one human being cannot do this in entirety for another human being.

We may fit together well with our best friend, personality-wise and we may even go together like hand in glove with our spouse, but, the truth is, deep down we know there are gaps and empty spaces that no other human being will ever be able to supply.

We all know people who have tried to fill this void with bad relationship choices, multiple marriages, and even having children or pets to try to replace what's missing for them, and nothing--no one--except Jesus, will fit the bill.

Keith Green sings a song about Jesus supplying exactly what he needed when he was unsaved. He sings, "I was so lost and you showed the way, 'cause you are the way. I was lied to but you told the truth, 'cause you are the truth. I was dying and you gave me Life, 'cause you are the Life. How I love you 'cause you gave your life for me." Jesus, the Way, the Truth and the Life.

In Isaiah 61:1-3 the prophet announces good tidings to those who need them most. The Lord sent him to "bind the brokenhearted, proclaim liberty to those held captive, open the prison to the bound, comfort those who mourn, give beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, and the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness that ultimately the Lord would be glorified."

There is an emptiness, a vacuum, in each of us that only the Lord Jesus fills perfectly. In each instance, Jesus is the last puzzle piece. He gives us our much needed freedom, joy, beauty and comfort. No friend, spouse, child, pet, not even a teacher or pastor will, or can, do it all for us. As much as each one of these mean to us, they won't meet our need. The cross supplied our necessity for a Savior and He alone meets our every need, daily. No other person will fill that emptiness. Jesus fits exactly and only He completes the picture. Only He truly completes us.

Father, Help me to always look to you to fill the voids in my life. Whatever my need; comfort, joy, beauty, or praise for my heaviness...whatever the need...remind me to always look to you and to trust you to fill it. Thank you Lord for supplying these empty spaces, these gaps. Thank you, thank you.

Suz

Thursday, June 26, 2008

our chickens coming home to roost

Aunt Margaret may be coming home next week! She's been gone since April 21 and it seems like forever. She actually lives in Tennessee and Florida and now it's our turn again and I'm glad. We all miss her so much when she's up there going to doctor's appts and visiting with her children. She lives with Aunt Wanda down here and they take care of one another and keep each other company. It's a good arrangement. Now, if only Aunt Polly could come...

My sister Kathy and her family are moving down here from Pennsylvania to help with the business and be closer to us all. They should be here either Sunday night or Monday. This makes me very happy. I've missed her since she moved to PA back in the 70s. I think this will be a very good thing.

I'm not everyone's mother, but sometimes it feels like it. I often feel like a mother hen gathering her chicks to protect them. If everyone is home, then everything will be OK and if it's not OK, then we'll get through it together.

I remember when our girls, Amy and Holly, were young and we'd have bad weather. I couldn't rest until they were under our roof...close enough to touch...so I'd really know they were OK. I've said more than once to my then teens, "It's going to storm. I want you home!" Some of my fondest memories are during hurricanes or winter storms when we were relegated to the house because of conditions outside.

One Christmas we had such cold weather the power company did rolling blackouts, cutting power to specific areas for a while, then to others for a while to save power. I had stocked up with food and supplies, and Byron had more than enough wood stockpiled for the fireplace so we had nourishment and warmth. We had company staying with us that weekend so the house was full of people who couldn't go anywhere, so we had entertainment, too. The house was a disaster but we were full and warm and with all of us going through this together we had a blast! As long as my family was close by, I was content.

It's a little different now with both girls having families of their own, but still good. I love having everyone over within arm's reach, but I also love knowing they are nestled in their own cozy homes, spending time with their own little brood. There is contentment and continuity in family coming together, whether it's coming back home from a long time away or coming over for dinner at Mom's or knowing your children are together in their own nests.

My family is good to me. They allow me to gather them up under my wings and hold them close. Each and every one in his or her own unique way is a great blessing from God--from my husband to my two daughters and their families to my aunts, cousins and extended family.

As I yearn to gather my chicks, so does the Lord want even more to gather us and protect us. There is a certain amount of protection for my chicks at my house, but how much more contentment and protection are under the wings of Jesus.

Luke 13:34 How often I have wanted to gather your children together as a hen protects her chicks beneath her wings, but you wouldn't let me.

There are real storms out there. Physical, emotional and natural hurricanes, tornadoes, and bitter cold storms.

2Samuel 22:3 My God is my rock, in whom I find protection...

Let Him gather us. Let Him protect us. No one can do it better.

Suz

Thursday, June 19, 2008

brilliant moments and ordinary days

Summer vacation, my birthday, Christmas, and even the first day of school were the best days of the year for me as a young girl. These special days brought unique traditions for each one.

Summer vacation meant we'd be out of school to play with friends and some years we'd go to visit family in Tennessee or Georgia. My birthday meant Mama would bake a yummy, homemade cake for our family just because it was my day--and I might even get a present, too. The first day of school was exciting because I'd see all the friends I'd missed over the summer and there were all those neat, new, school supplies to use. Christmas meant family, food, presents for everyone and Jesus' birthday.

I looked forward to each of these great days with much anticipation because they were the highlights of my year. Between each one of them were many regular days of getting up, eating, dressing, chores and going to school. You know, the ordinary days. Real life days of the commonplace.

Oswald Chambers writes, "Has the Lord ever asked you--'Wilt thou lay down thy life for My sake?' It is far easier to die than to lay down the life day in and day out with a sense of high calling. We are not made for brilliant moments but we have to walk in the light of them in ordinary ways...For thirty-three years Jesus laid out His life to do the will of His Father...If I am a friend of Jesus, I have deliberately and carefully to lay down my life for Him. "

What brilliant moments have you had in your life with the Lord? The miracle beside your dad's hospital bed? A long lost child come home? Finances supplied at just the right time from an unexpected place? The Lord directing your path so clearly there is no room for error and then making the way for it to come to pass? A successful missions trip? An eagerly anticipated project begun and completed? A quiet, tender moment with Jesus just when you needed it most? What blessings! What miracles! What brilliant moments in our spiritual history--in our lives with Christ!

Then comes Monday morning and it's time for work, or school, or housecleaning and taking care of the children. Our lives happen one day at a time. Not a holiday at a time, or a birthday or an event, but moment by moment, one day at a time. It's the way we do anything, really. Inch by inch--step by step...one foot after another. It's how we serve the Lord too. One thought, one prayer, one need, one blessing.

When we look at the lives of the great people we know in the Lord--our mothers, fathers, pastors, sisters and brothers in the Lord--we see years of faithfulness, deeds done, and prayers answered yet they were all done day by day. Not one of them lived a whole season at once. Sometimes life is exciting but it is the everyday walk with Jesus that adds up to this successful life for God. The Lord doesn't ask for us to slay dragons or perform superhuman heroic deeds. He says walk with him.

Micah 6:8 He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.

Walking humbly with the Lord--how beautiful!

Father, help me simmer down and walk humbly with you daily--between the special times and brilliant moments.

Suz

Wednesday, June 18, 2008

a sneaky kid and no hiding

I was a sneaky kid. I remember the time I stole a nickel from the corner of an unoccupied desk in my first grade class. As I passed the desk on my way out the door to go home for the day, it sat there glaring at me, screaming, "Take me, take me." I quickly scooped it into my palm and kept walking. Then I held it tightly in my hand with my arm close to my body until I reached home, where I put it in an old play purse to conceal it further so I could bring it into the house without my mother's knowledge. It didn't work. She noticed. After much cross examination and punishment with a switch (which seemed to go on for hours), I was taken to school the next morning to return it to my teacher with tears and many mumbled apologies.

As an older child, on family dinner days, I was the Master Food Sneaker. While Mom and Aunt Wanda busied themselves with the final details of our gorgeous meal, I'd pass through the kitchen on the pretext of getting a drink of water or saying hello. While they put the rolls into the oven or set the table, I'd snitch one of the best pieces of ham or beef, the crusty bottom. Hungry girl, great bite of well-seasoned meat bursting with flavor--stolen waters never tasted so sweet.

I'm not so sneaky anymore. Not fast enough. Actually, now that I'm the cook, it's not sneaking, it's taste testing. Anyway...when I realized how utterly open we are to the Lord's sight, how nothing is hidden, I saw that it freed us to be who we really are. We don't have to hide or try to "get away with it." whatever it is, because it wouldn't work anyway. Our heavenly Father knows! We may as well ask for His help, for His forgiveness, and go on.

Hebrews 4:13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him...14...we have a great high priest...Jesus the Son of God...16 Let us then approach the throne of grace...so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

The Lord knows our innermost sneakiness even if no one else does. He knows us better than we know ourselves and still completely loves us and He still makes a way for us to receive mercy and grace. He not only provides mercy and grace, He seeks us out to give them to us.

He seeks us. He pursues us even in our deceitful, unlovable state. The God of all heaven and earth, of everything, sees us in the bright light of His glory, warts and all, and pursues us--He pursues me. How wonderful is that!

Luke 19:10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost."

Lord, thank you for the bright light of your glory that shines on my life and for loving me and providing for me anyway. I love you with all my heart.

Suz

Friday, June 13, 2008

my snuggling pup

Blue is our 9 year old chihuahua and he has issues. He's on meds so he won't have seizures and the medication he takes causes his liver not to function well. He's been known to have back problems and has needed more meds and bedrest on occasion. His fear makes him an aggressive little dog. If you happen to encounter him, don't turn away or he'll bite your ankles.

He comes when we call and is affectionate with us, but throughout the 6 years we've had him, he's been standoffish about staying too close for too long. When he sits near me, he'll stay relaxed until I touch him or speak to him. If that happens, he's outta there! That is, until yesterday.

We had a thunderstorm at our house with lots of lightning and booming going on. He came to me on the couch a couple of times as a trial run. He let me pet him a minute but soon jumped off the couch and paced around the house trying to feel safe somewhere--anywhere. Then he jumped up once more. I petted him calmly and told him I'd take care of him--something I've done a hundred other times--and surprise of all surprises, he stayed. After about 30 sec his little body relaxed and he snuggled down with me. Oh, it wasn't the usual snuggle. This was a "get my nose in her arm pit, bone loosening, snuggle down and trust her" event. I could not believe what I was experiencing! It was amazing and completely out of the norm for this little guy. When the next thunder boom happened, he didn't move to run away, but buried his little nose even deeper into safety. I relished his closeness and dependence upon me.

Like my sweet pup, there've been times I've run from pillar to post trying to find safety. I've searched to find a calm place where my heart can settle down, a place where I can regroup and regain my perspective on the truth of what's going on. As I was always there for little Blue, the truth is, that no matter what's going on, Jesus is waiting for us, for me, to seek Him out for that safe place. He is the calm in the middle of the storm. I can snuggle down into Him all the more whether it's crazy outside or it's crazy inside.

I knew all along Blue would feel safe with me if he'd only let himself relax into my arms, and the Lord knows the same about us. As Blue surrendered to my care and protection letting me provide comfort for him, so can we also snuggle down and let the Lord comfort and mother us. I believe the Lord takes pure joy in our dependence upon Him, as I did my little pup's.

Lord, help me surrender to YOUR care and protection. When it's crazy everywhere, outside and in, let me relax into your arms in utter dependence upon you. I love you, Father.

Suz

Wednesday, June 11, 2008

good friends and warm moments

I've been reading The Sacred Romance, Drawing Closer to the Heart of God, by Brent Curtis and John Eldredge and it is a deeply moving book. Although only halfway through it, I've come to tears several times because of how closely I've identified with much of what is written.

My favorite passage at the moment is this, "The story that is the Sacred Romance begins not with God alone, the Author at his desk, but God in relationship, intimacy beyond our wildest imagination, heroic intimacy. The Trinity is at the center of the universe; perfect relationship is the heart of all reality. Think of your best moments of love or friendship or creative partnership, the best times with family or friends around the dinner table, your richest conversations, the acts of simple kindness that sometimes seem like the only things that make life worth living. Like the shimmer of sunlight on a lake, these are reflections of the love that flows among the Trinity. We long for intimacy because we are made in the image of perfect intimacy."

I had some of these warm, intimate moments this past week with my friend, Rosemary. We've known one another since we were in 3rd grade so there are no illusions, no facades, and no charades with us. We laughed about past experiences with our other longtime best friend Alice, and we cried together for the grief we felt at the loss of family. We ate together and we shopped together. We marveled at how much we don't know and then talked of the beauty of the Lord and how He's changing us both. We reminisced and we planned future visits. It was a good week.

Good times with family and friends--what gifts from God! I am truly blessed.

Thank you, Lord. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

Suz

Tuesday, June 3, 2008

good medicine

Pastor Gary told a couple of husband-wife jokes Sunday during his first Family Month sermon last Sunday. They were really funny so I thought I'd share two I know.

Joke #1
A husband wasn't feeling well so his wife took him to the Dr. After the examination, the doc excused the husband and spoke to the wife alone. "Your husband is sick and very fragile right now. He needs extremely tender care and generous amounts of pampering if he is to survive. You must see to it his sheets are the softest cotton and they are changed every day. He must be bathed by you every evening with the utmost gentleness and then dressed in the most comfortable pj's money can buy. His meals must be homemade gourmet feasts of only his very favorite foods and it must be for all three meals, each and every day. You must run interference for him in the daily affairs of life. He must never be stressed even the tiniest bit. If you fail in even one of these areas, in either his peace of mind or his bodily comfort, your dear husband will not survive."

The wife left the Dr's office solemnly, thinking over all she'd been told and walked out to meet her husband in the waiting room. When he saw her, he asked, "What did the doctor say?" The wife looked at her husband with a tear in her eye and said, "The doctor said you're gonna die."

Joke #2
Even though Grandpa and Grandma were deaf as posts, their family came together to celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary. There was food, family, and fun all day and even with their hearing loss, they seemed to enjoy the long day's festivities. After everyone had hugged and said their goodbyes, and the last family member went home, Grandpa and Grandma sat in their rocking chairs on the porch, rocking rhythmically, watching the sun go down. Grandpa looked over at Grandma with her plump body, her shining white hair and the deep, smile lines all over her face. He reached over lovingly, patted her hand and said, "I love you." Grandma looked over at the old man she'd been with for all those years with his bib overalls and white hair and wrinkles and reached over and patted Grandpa's hand and said, "I'm tired of you, too."

OK, they're not nice but they ARE funny!

Sometimes we just need a good laugh. Sometimes I just need a good laugh. A cheerful heart is good medicine. Prov 17:22

Above all, God is good.

Suz