Did you ever bite off more bubblegum than you could chew? I've done it both ways, in fact, and in essence. Neither way is pleasant. That's the way I feel right now. Like my necessary requirements loom too large over my emotional resources. It's a common feeling for me when I'm having friends and family over to my house for dinner, etc.
You see, the other night, on the spur of the moment, I added several families to my dinner on Christmas Eve. Please understand, these are our dearest friends and I am looking so forward to spending this special evening with them all, but anytime I invite guests to our home, I tend to stress about the niggly details of their comfort. Where will everyone sit? Will the house be too crowded for comfort? What will the children do for fun? I don't worry about having too little food. I tend to overcompensate with the amount of it. I would simply croak over if I had to worry about having enough food AND places to sit, but I will think about the glitches and the challenges of many people in a small house and will plan and fret over how it will all work out.
I will call on my husband and daughters for help, and they will gladly assist me--but I will still stress about the final outcome. The time for the event will arrive and I will freak just one more time and then I'll be fine and will have a great time with all those at our home.
That's just the way I am. I don't like it very much, but that's how I seem to function. Freak, then fun. You know, my life would be much more relaxed and enjoyable if I could skip the freaking part. Maybe when I'm older...
So, this morning, I called out to the Lord to help me pull this all together for tomorrow night. He reminded me of a get together with Jesus at the home of Lazarus', Martha and Mary. Martha was freaking out in the kitchen about all the work to do while her sister, Mary, was focusing on the more important part of the gathering--listening to Jesus--enjoying their guests. I doubt that there were planned activities for the kids and I'll bet the kitchen was a mess. I can almost guarantee there weren't enough seats at the table for each one to have their own perfect place setting--and that's pretty much how it will be at my house on Christmas Eve. And while, I will strive to make our friends and family comfortable, I'm no Martha Stewart or Sandra Lee with gorgeous tablescapes, I can guarantee this.
What we will have here at our house, Lord willing, are tons of good food, and oceans of love for one another as we come together to celebrate our friendship and ultimately the birth of Jesus, our Savior.
I feel much better now after venting about my home entertaining insecurities. I am going to get up from here and clean out that refrigerator so I can fill it up with new food for the next couple of celebration days.
Father, thank you for helping me put this family event into perspective. Help me keep the main thing, the main thing. I love our family and friends so very much and only want them to feel comfortable and loved in our home. You are the perfect one to make this happen. Thank you for sending your perfect Son for us. Thank you for Jesus. I love you so very much.
Suz
I hope you all keep the main thing, the main thing, this Christmas. Merry Christmas to you all. It's going to be a great time. I just know it.
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
the season
Our church Christmas production was Sunday night and it turned out well. I was excited to be asked to be the narrator. It wasn't a difficult thing, but it was trickier than I had initially thought it would be. Who knew that reading a script with genuine emotion, in time to the music, with a spotlight in your eyes would be a challenge? Duh. I have new found respect for narrators everywhere. Thank the Lord that even with the few stumbles I had I was able to skirt the disaster of losing my place or some other public speaking train wreck.
The choir worshipped the Lord in their music and I think its the most important thing about any church program. If it's just a 'show' at church, then I'm underwhelmed, but if hearts are truly lifted in praise and in worship with the holiday music or whatever is done, it makes all the difference in the lives of those listening. Our choir worshipped and led us all in worship. It was beautiful.
Holiday programs, special events, gatherings of friends and family, special lunches with girlfriends, unharried solo shopping trips or with children, foods unique to the season, giving a little money in the Salvation Army pot at Walmart, are what make the Christmas season unique. It's a time of celebrating our Savior's birth by opening up our hearts to one another and the world. Wide open hearts full of generosity with love and giving whatever we have--a present, a little money for a good cause--open kindness--freely given--one to another.
Pastor Gary gave us a visual on Sunday morning that struck home with me. When the man with leprosy came to Jesus, he said, "If you will, I will be healed." In compassion, in generosity, Jesus said, "I will," and the man was healed.
Matthew 8:1 When Jesus came down from the hill, great crowds followed him.2 Then a man with a skin disease came to Jesus. The man bowed down before him and said, "Lord, you can heal me if you will." 3 Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man and said, "I will. Be healed!" And immediately the man was healed from his disease.
Our world needed a Savior. The world cried out and said, "Lord, if you will..." And the Son of God, with generosity of heart and great love and compassion, put on humanity as the baby in Mary's arms and said, "I will."
I don't know why Christmas seems different for me this year, but it does. The lights on homes and trees shine a little brighter. The poinsettias are fuller and richer red. Children are more adorable. Smiles are quicker to shine. Patience seems to be longer. People are friendlier to one another. I feel more relaxed--I feel peaceful--about it all. Maybe some of the grief of the season has eased up for me a little. Maybe it's because I'm a little older. You know, time passes, wounds become less fresh, less sharp. Or, perhaps the Lord is simply healing my poor, battered Christmastime heart. I'm not too concerned with why it's different this year, I'm just glad it is.
Father, our Savior came us us willingly, generously, freely. Thank you for sending just who we needed, at just the perfect time. You give us the best gifts of all. Help me to revel in your generosity and also give of myself in the same liberal way. I love you, Lord.
Enjoy the season, all :)
Suz
The choir worshipped the Lord in their music and I think its the most important thing about any church program. If it's just a 'show' at church, then I'm underwhelmed, but if hearts are truly lifted in praise and in worship with the holiday music or whatever is done, it makes all the difference in the lives of those listening. Our choir worshipped and led us all in worship. It was beautiful.
Holiday programs, special events, gatherings of friends and family, special lunches with girlfriends, unharried solo shopping trips or with children, foods unique to the season, giving a little money in the Salvation Army pot at Walmart, are what make the Christmas season unique. It's a time of celebrating our Savior's birth by opening up our hearts to one another and the world. Wide open hearts full of generosity with love and giving whatever we have--a present, a little money for a good cause--open kindness--freely given--one to another.
Pastor Gary gave us a visual on Sunday morning that struck home with me. When the man with leprosy came to Jesus, he said, "If you will, I will be healed." In compassion, in generosity, Jesus said, "I will," and the man was healed.
Matthew 8:1 When Jesus came down from the hill, great crowds followed him.2 Then a man with a skin disease came to Jesus. The man bowed down before him and said, "Lord, you can heal me if you will." 3 Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man and said, "I will. Be healed!" And immediately the man was healed from his disease.
Our world needed a Savior. The world cried out and said, "Lord, if you will..." And the Son of God, with generosity of heart and great love and compassion, put on humanity as the baby in Mary's arms and said, "I will."
I don't know why Christmas seems different for me this year, but it does. The lights on homes and trees shine a little brighter. The poinsettias are fuller and richer red. Children are more adorable. Smiles are quicker to shine. Patience seems to be longer. People are friendlier to one another. I feel more relaxed--I feel peaceful--about it all. Maybe some of the grief of the season has eased up for me a little. Maybe it's because I'm a little older. You know, time passes, wounds become less fresh, less sharp. Or, perhaps the Lord is simply healing my poor, battered Christmastime heart. I'm not too concerned with why it's different this year, I'm just glad it is.
Father, our Savior came us us willingly, generously, freely. Thank you for sending just who we needed, at just the perfect time. You give us the best gifts of all. Help me to revel in your generosity and also give of myself in the same liberal way. I love you, Lord.
Enjoy the season, all :)
Suz
Monday, December 8, 2008
good and faithful teachers
Mrs Ruby Pribble was my Sunday School teacher at Calvary Baptist Church in Michigan when I was about ten years old. Mrs Pribble is now 81 years old. I have never forgotten my time in her class or her. A couple of years ago when we were preparing to go on a missions trip to Macedonia, I thought about her and I decided to try to find her. Through a series of mouse clicks and an email, I was soon speaking with her on the phone. My search took about an hour. Although she does not remember me from her class, it has not made any difference to either of us. We have reconnected and written several letters back and forth. I received a letter from her this morning. I will share her letter in part.
Dear Suzanne,
...Thank you for your little peek at the mission trips you have been privileged to make. What wonderful opportunities to serve the Lord. Mission trips were never heard of a few years ago. Our world has shrunk and modern technology has sped up missions goals. I wonder if God has allowed this to speed up the gospel and hasten the return of Christ. "Even so, come Lord Jesus."
We just celebrated Thanksgiving. How good the Lord has been to us. How blessed we have been as a nation, Suzanne. We may be entering a new phase of life here in our nation. The title, "Christian nation" is not deserved any longer. The killing of millions of babies and the acceptance of homosexuality have taken down great countries before our own. God never ignores sin.
Sorry. I shouldn't pursue such a sad topic, but Suzanne I'm an old lady, but you could face persecution in the next few years. Study the Bible and memorize as much as you can. It's the Word that will sustain us, come what may.
May God abundantly bless you and yours.
Lovingly,
Ruby Pribble
The Apostle Paul helped his children in the Lord with his words and wisdom in his letters to the churches. Similarly, Mrs Pribble does the same thing for me. Within only a few sentences, she encourages, she admonishes, and she instructs me wisely. She helps her daughter in the Lord with her wisdom and encouragement. What an example of our words as powerful tools and a strong help when given with much wisdom and love.
Lord Jesus, Some 46 years later, Mrs Pribble is still my teacher. Thank you for giving me a good and faithful teacher as she is. Help me to also be a good and faithful friend to those you put in my life. You give good gifts, Lord. Thank you so much. I love you.
Suz
Dear Suzanne,
...Thank you for your little peek at the mission trips you have been privileged to make. What wonderful opportunities to serve the Lord. Mission trips were never heard of a few years ago. Our world has shrunk and modern technology has sped up missions goals. I wonder if God has allowed this to speed up the gospel and hasten the return of Christ. "Even so, come Lord Jesus."
We just celebrated Thanksgiving. How good the Lord has been to us. How blessed we have been as a nation, Suzanne. We may be entering a new phase of life here in our nation. The title, "Christian nation" is not deserved any longer. The killing of millions of babies and the acceptance of homosexuality have taken down great countries before our own. God never ignores sin.
Sorry. I shouldn't pursue such a sad topic, but Suzanne I'm an old lady, but you could face persecution in the next few years. Study the Bible and memorize as much as you can. It's the Word that will sustain us, come what may.
May God abundantly bless you and yours.
Lovingly,
Ruby Pribble
The Apostle Paul helped his children in the Lord with his words and wisdom in his letters to the churches. Similarly, Mrs Pribble does the same thing for me. Within only a few sentences, she encourages, she admonishes, and she instructs me wisely. She helps her daughter in the Lord with her wisdom and encouragement. What an example of our words as powerful tools and a strong help when given with much wisdom and love.
Lord Jesus, Some 46 years later, Mrs Pribble is still my teacher. Thank you for giving me a good and faithful teacher as she is. Help me to also be a good and faithful friend to those you put in my life. You give good gifts, Lord. Thank you so much. I love you.
Suz
Sunday, November 30, 2008
smelling the rose petals
The day before Thanksgiving Holly brought Hannah and Summer over to my house for a visit and to help prepare for dinner the next day. Hannah has always been my sous chef when we prepare meals for the family and this day was no different. She helped chop celery and onion for the stuffing, she scrubbed sweet potatoes to bake for the pies, she peeled boiled eggs and mixed the yolks and other ingredients for the deviled eggs and pitched in wherever needed. Since Hannah and I are both a bit messy when we cook, Holly was a trooper and cleaned up behind the two messy girls. Little Summer ate potato chips, watched Spongebob and occasionally wandered into the kitchen for a hug or more snacks.
Our friend Cody stopped by to visit. He's a rambunctious 12 year old who livened us up. A little later in the afternoon, we took a break from the cooking and went on a golf cart ride around our neighborhood where we enjoyed the cool, sunshiney day and the breeze blowing through our hair. We had the excitment of a few dogs barking and chasing after us and a quickly weakening battery on the cart, but we got home safely and because the battery held up, we didn't have to walk home. It was an absolutely lovely time.
Thanksgiving day, my grandson Sid was moseying around the yard waiting for Summer to get here and he found a unique way to keep himself busy. He came into the house holding the front of his shirt up in his arms. The tail of his shirt was full of dark pink rose petals from my front yard. He liked them and decided to pick them and bring them in to me. I was a little taken aback when I saw them but when I saw how excited he was to bring them to me, I was touched. We didn't want them to go to waste so we fixed them for decorations for the dinner tables. I gathered up some small cut glass bowls and filled them with water, then Sid and I sprinkled the petals on top of the water where they floated beautifully. We set seven little bowls of floating dark pink rose petals around on the tables where they added a graceful accent to our dinner. They were very pretty and Sid was proud of his good work.
Our family showed up on time for dinner and we enjoyed ourselves immensely. It was a good day with many things to be thankful for. I am thankful for the prep day with my daughter and girls and I'm thankful for Sid's rose petal gathering. I am thankful for a delicious meal that day. I am thankful for Amy and Holly jumping in to get the final details done with dinner and all their help cleaning up afterwards. Most of all, I am thankful for peace and contentment in our home during our Thanksgiving gathering.
We know the Lord blesses us in big ways; with salvation, with protection, with heaven, but He also blesses us in small ways that are precious to my heart--lavish time spent with grandchildren, tasks successfully completed, a peaceful spirit, and time to smell the rose petals.
Thank you, Father. If you never did another good thing for me, I would still be a most blessed woman. I love you.
Suz
Our friend Cody stopped by to visit. He's a rambunctious 12 year old who livened us up. A little later in the afternoon, we took a break from the cooking and went on a golf cart ride around our neighborhood where we enjoyed the cool, sunshiney day and the breeze blowing through our hair. We had the excitment of a few dogs barking and chasing after us and a quickly weakening battery on the cart, but we got home safely and because the battery held up, we didn't have to walk home. It was an absolutely lovely time.
Thanksgiving day, my grandson Sid was moseying around the yard waiting for Summer to get here and he found a unique way to keep himself busy. He came into the house holding the front of his shirt up in his arms. The tail of his shirt was full of dark pink rose petals from my front yard. He liked them and decided to pick them and bring them in to me. I was a little taken aback when I saw them but when I saw how excited he was to bring them to me, I was touched. We didn't want them to go to waste so we fixed them for decorations for the dinner tables. I gathered up some small cut glass bowls and filled them with water, then Sid and I sprinkled the petals on top of the water where they floated beautifully. We set seven little bowls of floating dark pink rose petals around on the tables where they added a graceful accent to our dinner. They were very pretty and Sid was proud of his good work.
Our family showed up on time for dinner and we enjoyed ourselves immensely. It was a good day with many things to be thankful for. I am thankful for the prep day with my daughter and girls and I'm thankful for Sid's rose petal gathering. I am thankful for a delicious meal that day. I am thankful for Amy and Holly jumping in to get the final details done with dinner and all their help cleaning up afterwards. Most of all, I am thankful for peace and contentment in our home during our Thanksgiving gathering.
We know the Lord blesses us in big ways; with salvation, with protection, with heaven, but He also blesses us in small ways that are precious to my heart--lavish time spent with grandchildren, tasks successfully completed, a peaceful spirit, and time to smell the rose petals.
Thank you, Father. If you never did another good thing for me, I would still be a most blessed woman. I love you.
Suz
Thursday, November 20, 2008
planning holiday meals
Next week is Thanksgiving and my family is coming to eat dinner with us; my daughters, their husbands and children, my sister and her family and my nephew and niece and their families--about 17 total. We'll cook lots of good food, eat too much and laugh a lot. That's how it usually is when we get together and I don't expect this year to be much different.
I'm mentally making up my shopping list for the meal, trying to get all the details straight in my head and before I forget anything, I will write it down. Gotta have it down on paper or I will forget something important. It's happened before.
I like planning for a get-together. I enjoy the hugeness of it all. Ten pounds of potatoes, ham and turkey, stuffing, gravy, rolls, pies and cakes. I love looking through magazines for new taste treats and watching the Food Network for something tasty and different to serve. This whole thing would be very enjoyable were it not for one special person missing--my mother.
I miss my mom a lot right now.
All the arrangements, the menu ideas, different dishes to try--that's what we did every holiday--we'd talk about and mentally prepare dish after dish beforehand. She would get so excited about some new dessert or veggie dish she'd see on television that I'd have to find the recipe for her online. She'd study it and we'd discuss how good it sounded and how we could tweak it and make it even better than the original. We did it every holiday, every year. When we couldn't discuss anything else, we could talk food. That's what we did until she died. I'd sit in the chair in her room and she'd be in her bed, and we'd watch Paula Deen or Emeril or Ina Garten and we'd cook along with them, thirty minutes at a time.
"Now, Suzy, I think if we added just a little bit more butter..."
According to my mother everything tasted better with a little more butter. Funny thing is, it usually did taste better. So, we planned, and we cooked, and we baked--if only in spirit. I can still talk a good game when it comes to food, and I daresay I can cook a little too, but the sparkle is gone right now because my cooking partner isn't here to share it with me. Maybe that sparkle will come back one day soon. I surely hope so, because when it's good, it's grand.
Here's a simple side that is different and tasty. It's one we saw on Paula Deen's cooking show and we had it for Thanksgiving a couple of years ago. Mama and I loved it. I hope you like it, too.
Pineapple Casserole
Prep Time: 10 min
Cook Time: 25 min
8 servings
1 cup sugar
6 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 cups grated sharp cheddar
2 (20-ounce) cans pineapple chunks, drained
6 tablespoons pineapple juice reserved
1 cup cracker crumbs (recommended: Ritz)
8 tablespoons (1 stick) butter, melted, plus extra for greasing pan
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Grease a medium-size casserole dish with butter.
In a large bowl, stir together the sugar and flour. Gradually stir in the cheese. Add the drained pineapple chunks, and stir until ingredients are well combined. Pour the mixture into the prepared casserole dish.
In another medium bowl, combine the cracker crumbs, melted butter, and reserved pineapple juice, stirring with a rubber spatula until evenly blended. Spread crumb mixture on top of pineapple mixture. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until golden brown.
I miss my mother so very much right now but I plan to enjoy the rest of my family and these special days to the fullest this year. They are my joy and the lights of my life. The Lord has blessed me with the best family anywhere. The Lord is good and I appreciate his vast blessings to me.
Father, my heart is full with thanksgiving to you. I am a grateful woman. I love you.
Happy Thanksgiving, all.
Suz
I'm mentally making up my shopping list for the meal, trying to get all the details straight in my head and before I forget anything, I will write it down. Gotta have it down on paper or I will forget something important. It's happened before.
I like planning for a get-together. I enjoy the hugeness of it all. Ten pounds of potatoes, ham and turkey, stuffing, gravy, rolls, pies and cakes. I love looking through magazines for new taste treats and watching the Food Network for something tasty and different to serve. This whole thing would be very enjoyable were it not for one special person missing--my mother.
I miss my mom a lot right now.
All the arrangements, the menu ideas, different dishes to try--that's what we did every holiday--we'd talk about and mentally prepare dish after dish beforehand. She would get so excited about some new dessert or veggie dish she'd see on television that I'd have to find the recipe for her online. She'd study it and we'd discuss how good it sounded and how we could tweak it and make it even better than the original. We did it every holiday, every year. When we couldn't discuss anything else, we could talk food. That's what we did until she died. I'd sit in the chair in her room and she'd be in her bed, and we'd watch Paula Deen or Emeril or Ina Garten and we'd cook along with them, thirty minutes at a time.
"Now, Suzy, I think if we added just a little bit more butter..."
According to my mother everything tasted better with a little more butter. Funny thing is, it usually did taste better. So, we planned, and we cooked, and we baked--if only in spirit. I can still talk a good game when it comes to food, and I daresay I can cook a little too, but the sparkle is gone right now because my cooking partner isn't here to share it with me. Maybe that sparkle will come back one day soon. I surely hope so, because when it's good, it's grand.
Here's a simple side that is different and tasty. It's one we saw on Paula Deen's cooking show and we had it for Thanksgiving a couple of years ago. Mama and I loved it. I hope you like it, too.
Pineapple Casserole
Prep Time: 10 min
Cook Time: 25 min
8 servings
1 cup sugar
6 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 cups grated sharp cheddar
2 (20-ounce) cans pineapple chunks, drained
6 tablespoons pineapple juice reserved
1 cup cracker crumbs (recommended: Ritz)
8 tablespoons (1 stick) butter, melted, plus extra for greasing pan
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Grease a medium-size casserole dish with butter.
In a large bowl, stir together the sugar and flour. Gradually stir in the cheese. Add the drained pineapple chunks, and stir until ingredients are well combined. Pour the mixture into the prepared casserole dish.
In another medium bowl, combine the cracker crumbs, melted butter, and reserved pineapple juice, stirring with a rubber spatula until evenly blended. Spread crumb mixture on top of pineapple mixture. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until golden brown.
I miss my mother so very much right now but I plan to enjoy the rest of my family and these special days to the fullest this year. They are my joy and the lights of my life. The Lord has blessed me with the best family anywhere. The Lord is good and I appreciate his vast blessings to me.
Father, my heart is full with thanksgiving to you. I am a grateful woman. I love you.
Happy Thanksgiving, all.
Suz
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
heartburn
I had an endoscopy today. My gastro doc put a camera down my esophagus to my stomach to see what he could see. Personally, I didn't want to do the scope even now, but I'd put it off as long as I possibly could. I have been suffering with heartburn for ten years. Yep. Ten.
Trouble was that I'd tried recently to go off of the Prilosec and each time I'd feel terrible because of the heartburn. I was becoming concerned. At least now I know I just have chronic heartburn. Yippee. That makes me feel better.
The nurse who prepped me for the test asked me some questions about my history and when I told her how long I'd suffered with heartburn she asked me, "Why did you wait so long to check it out?" Before I could answer she said,
"Never mind. I suffered with plantar fasciatis in my feet for three years before doing anything about it. I know how so much time passed before you did anything. Women just deal with stuff on a daily basis without paying much attention to the time." I wonder how much better we might feel if we'd just go ahead and take care of our health issues as they pop up.
Another nurse set me up in the procedure room where she put my oxygen canula over my ears and the openings in my nostrils. As she hooked the tubing over my ears she said,
"Nice ears."
I laughed thinking she was making a joke.
"No, really. You have nice ears. I do this everyday and some ears are flat, some sticky-outy, but you have nice ears."
"Thank you."
It's funny what we notice about people.
My test went off rather uneventfully and without a hitch. The doc took a couple of biopsies and said they didn't look bad but we'd know for sure in a few days. I'm waiting hopefully for the official good report. Then I guess I continue with the meds.
I had a test, it came out well, and I am thankful. I guess everyone has something and mine is heartburn. Without it or with it, God is good.
Suz
Trouble was that I'd tried recently to go off of the Prilosec and each time I'd feel terrible because of the heartburn. I was becoming concerned. At least now I know I just have chronic heartburn. Yippee. That makes me feel better.
The nurse who prepped me for the test asked me some questions about my history and when I told her how long I'd suffered with heartburn she asked me, "Why did you wait so long to check it out?" Before I could answer she said,
"Never mind. I suffered with plantar fasciatis in my feet for three years before doing anything about it. I know how so much time passed before you did anything. Women just deal with stuff on a daily basis without paying much attention to the time." I wonder how much better we might feel if we'd just go ahead and take care of our health issues as they pop up.
Another nurse set me up in the procedure room where she put my oxygen canula over my ears and the openings in my nostrils. As she hooked the tubing over my ears she said,
"Nice ears."
I laughed thinking she was making a joke.
"No, really. You have nice ears. I do this everyday and some ears are flat, some sticky-outy, but you have nice ears."
"Thank you."
It's funny what we notice about people.
My test went off rather uneventfully and without a hitch. The doc took a couple of biopsies and said they didn't look bad but we'd know for sure in a few days. I'm waiting hopefully for the official good report. Then I guess I continue with the meds.
I had a test, it came out well, and I am thankful. I guess everyone has something and mine is heartburn. Without it or with it, God is good.
Suz
Sunday, November 9, 2008
finding God
We sing this beautiful chorus in church:
The more I seek you, the more I find you.
The more I find you, the more I love you.
I wanna sit at your feet, drink from the cup in your hand,
lay back against you and breathe. Feel your heartbeat.
This love is so deep, it's more than I can stand.
I melt in your peace. It's overwhelming.
When we sing this song, it's as though all the cares of the day fall away and as I do what the song says, worship follows. Seeking God. Finding him. Loving him. Sitting with him. Accepting what he gives with his own hand. Resting in him. Saturating in his love. In the midst of this worship, I melt into his perfect peace.
It doesn't get any better than this. So why do I often struggle in setting aside time from my busy day to find this peace and rest. There is nothing more important than spending time with the Lord to be strengthened and renewed and yet it seems like an indulgence. It's as though my heart wants to stop but my mind says that the time would be more productive spent running errands or doing laundry. How foolish!
There is no errand, no laundry, there is nothing so important that worship should take second place, or third or fourth place. My mind goes a million miles a minute worrying about one thing or another. A sick or brokenhearted friend. Financial woes of another friend. Trouble in a family member's household. My health. Your health. The list goes on and on...and that's the problem. There is no help for these issues in worry and fretting. There is no help for these things from trust in false gods, false doctrines, or solutions the world gives. Real help comes from trusting the Lord Jesus with all these things.
The Lord does not play games with our needs. He doesn't hide, making us work to find Him. When we seek Him, we find Him. When we find Him, we love Him. The Lord is easy to be found. Refreshment for our weary minds and hearts is there for the receiving.
Oh Father, I want to lay back against you and breathe. I want to feel your heartbeat. Help me melt in your overwhelming peace. I love you so much.
Suz
The more I seek you, the more I find you.
The more I find you, the more I love you.
I wanna sit at your feet, drink from the cup in your hand,
lay back against you and breathe. Feel your heartbeat.
This love is so deep, it's more than I can stand.
I melt in your peace. It's overwhelming.
When we sing this song, it's as though all the cares of the day fall away and as I do what the song says, worship follows. Seeking God. Finding him. Loving him. Sitting with him. Accepting what he gives with his own hand. Resting in him. Saturating in his love. In the midst of this worship, I melt into his perfect peace.
It doesn't get any better than this. So why do I often struggle in setting aside time from my busy day to find this peace and rest. There is nothing more important than spending time with the Lord to be strengthened and renewed and yet it seems like an indulgence. It's as though my heart wants to stop but my mind says that the time would be more productive spent running errands or doing laundry. How foolish!
There is no errand, no laundry, there is nothing so important that worship should take second place, or third or fourth place. My mind goes a million miles a minute worrying about one thing or another. A sick or brokenhearted friend. Financial woes of another friend. Trouble in a family member's household. My health. Your health. The list goes on and on...and that's the problem. There is no help for these issues in worry and fretting. There is no help for these things from trust in false gods, false doctrines, or solutions the world gives. Real help comes from trusting the Lord Jesus with all these things.
The Lord does not play games with our needs. He doesn't hide, making us work to find Him. When we seek Him, we find Him. When we find Him, we love Him. The Lord is easy to be found. Refreshment for our weary minds and hearts is there for the receiving.
Oh Father, I want to lay back against you and breathe. I want to feel your heartbeat. Help me melt in your overwhelming peace. I love you so much.
Suz
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