son – glasses
A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you. so you must love one another. John 13:34
2024
the power of one
The phrase “the power of one” has been rattling around my brain for a week or two. It started with an obnoxious mosquito. I realized that one little mosquito could totally take me from peace and relaxation to annoyance and aggravation. It could ruin a whole night’s sleep by buzzing around my ears. And thus, the words the “power of one” began taking root in my head. So, when I decided to sit at my laptop and write, I googled it. (I’m sure using that term will age me in a few years.) There are numerous books, movies and articles with that title. Most books were in the new age, meditation type genre. Most movies seem to have low ratings and I did not bother checking out the articles. There are very famous people who were committed to God (maybe delegated by God is more appropriate) and moved forward changing the world around them. The Apostle Paul, Mother Teresa, Billy Grahm, and in spite of a lifelong battle with depression, Charles Spurgeon. Many more I could list. I am sure some people would challenge my choices but the only people that really count are the ones who have shown God’s love and changed people for eternity. In comparison to these great servants of the Lord, I feel like a little, tiny speck in the universe…in God’s plans for mankind. But what pulls me out of feeling so lowly is that I know Christ died for me. I know God has a purpose and a plan for my life. (Obviously, so far it has not been speaking to thousands or living in poverty with the poor.) I know that He has given me gifts. If I follow the path He has laid out for me, use the gifts He has given me, and keep my focus on Him, I will be living into the purpose and plan He has for me. It seems that my life is unessential in this world, but I refuse to doubt my Creator God who made me unique and special. I may be one small piece of a puzzle but without that piece the puzzle could not be complete. Isn’t it amazing that the Creator of the Universe loves me so much He gave me my own assignments to follow for Him. Because of that I plan to use whatever gifts He has given me each day for His glory. So though I’m just that tiny puzzle piece I know I am empowered to complete that puzzle. And I have (or am) the power of one because my power comes from my Lord. (Does that mean I really have the power of two?) “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” Philippians 4:13 “Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” Isaiah 30:21
Fog
I really don’t like to drive in the fog. Especially in an area called ‘Thompson Hill’ on route I-35. Because it is higher ground the fog is denser on the hill where there is no lighting for a long stretch. I usually pray there will be taillights of a truck or even a car in front of me to give me an idea of where to go. I’ve not been in an accident or driven off the road, but it makes me extremely tense. Fog is usually caused by water vapors in the air and/or tiny dust particles called aerosols (I thought that was a brand of shoes). I know this is true from personal experience. Aside from driving in it, I am out with Oliver (my dog) at night even in the fog while armed with a flashlight that has good size beam (always on the lookout for coyotes). Because I am who I am and see things a little differently than most, one day while playing with the flashlight, I aimed the light towards the sky. I was fascinated by what I saw. Swirling through the beam were tornado-like aerosols. I watched them for so long I started getting dizzy. Once again, I was in awe of God’s incredible imagination to come up with zillions of tiny particles to create fog. Now every time I go out in the fog, I am enraptured while watching the tornado-like swirls dance in the light beam. (Though I still don’t like driving in it.) I got to thinking if I was able to isolate a tiny aerosol, I’d probably need a microscope to see it. But collectively those tiny aerosols can block our vision of things. It has caused accidents. Prior to current technology it caused ships to be rammed into rocks, planes to crash and has wrecked all kinds of havoc. I wonder if sin could be like an aerosol. An isolated little sin, maybe a white lie, seems like nothing. Not enough to even think about (everybody does them) but after weeks, months or years each tiny sin can collect into a sin fog. The sin fog could become so dense it blocks the view of God. Just like in a true fog, you’d only be able to see what is right in front of you. And right in front of you are the taillights of this world. A dark world that values self, fame and fortune and has no room for God. That thought makes me realize the importance of not ignoring the little sins in my life. It reminds me that I need to let in God’s light by confessing my sins and turning away from them. When I start feeling distant from the Lord, could it be I started creating a sin fog…something to think about. “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. I John 1:8-9
MY HOME
My Home Cambridge Dictionary: noun Home Someone’s or something’s place of origin, or the place where a person feels they belong. When I think of home I think of my safe, comfy place. A place where I can relax, veg-out, and be me. My husband is there, and he is what makes my home special. We’ve been married over 53 years. He brings me comfort, safety and is always an encouragement (and he cleans the toilets…like the best husband ever…right?). Then there is the golden doodle that makes us laugh even when we are crabby. And that is what makes my house a home. But there is still a restlessness, it’s a spiritual restlessness. There is a song that resonated with me from the first time I heard it. The chorus is: All I know is I’m not home yet This is not where I belong Take this world and give me Jesus This is not where I belong * The French philosopher Pierre Tielhard de Chardin once said “We are not human beings having a spiritual experience; we are spiritual beings having a human experience.” This I think explains song lyrics like the ones above; explains why people are always searching for meaning; and explains deep desires that can only be filled by a relationship with Christ. Those of us who have chosen Christ and who are children of God have dual citizenship. I think it’s kind of awesome to know I am home here and when I leave this world, I will be home too. But that time I will be home for eternity. “For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. 2 Corinthians 5:1
Glitter
It’s a cold brisk night though sadly no snow. 2024 is a strange winter for the northlands. Last year at this time I was struggling to hoist the shovel over the 4-foot banks of the pathways. Each night, closer to midnight than to 11 pm, I venture out with my dog Oliver, so he can do his thing before bed. I hesitate in opening the door, I look at him and say “Let’s see what God has for us tonight.” He’s a smart dog but I don’t think he catches the gist of it and just gives me an impatient look questioning why I haven’t opened that door yet. I delay because I love that sense of wonder…Will there finally be snow? Will the stars be out? And the moon? Or will it all be clouded over? We don’t stay out long but it is enough time to enjoy the majesty of the God who created me. Tonight the ground was packed hard, grass was dead, and patches of dirt soon to be mud when the weather warms greeted me. I shine the beacon from my flashlight and smile. What could have been an ordinary winter ground had turned into thousands of tiny little reflections. It looked as if God had shaken glitter all over the lawn. How can you not be in awe of a God who cares so much for you that He glitters the lawn to make you smile? And then I look up. The moon is hiding behind some trees, but I find it. The stars are radiant against the black sky. And once again I smile in appreciation of my Creator whose mind I cannot fathom. I kind of feel sorry for Oliver because his nose is to the ground sniffing for whatever animals have crossed his path. He doesn’t look up to see the delights in the sky. But then maybe he feels sorry for me that I can’t explore all the scents produced by creatures he may never meet but knows in his unique way. So now you may wonder what happens when the door opens, and the clouds hide the lights in the sky and glitter is not sprinkled on my lawn? I walk out and smile because I know that behind those clouds, my stars and moon are still shining. And I know behind the millions of stars and galaxies is my Creator God! This is a comfort for it reminds me when things in my life aren’t going how I want and I wonder where God is, I can reach back in the recesses of my mind to the cloudy nights remembering my Loving God is always there. He may be blocked by circumstances for a time, but I am reassured of His love because He never leaves me or forsakes me. “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6 NIV