Out of the Darkness

Psalm 107:10-16

Some sat in darkness, in utter darkness,
    prisoners suffering in iron chains,
because they rebelled against God’s commands
    and despised the plans of the Most High.
So he subjected them to bitter labor;
    they stumbled, and there was no one to help.
Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble,
    and he saved them from their distress.
He brought them out of darkness, the utter darkness,
    and broke away their chains.
Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love
    and his wonderful deeds for mankind,
for he breaks down gates of bronze
    and cuts through bars of iron.

I've been set free!

After I accepted the job offer at the college library, the director gave me a tour of the offices and the book stacks. On the second floor, I saw the collection of books the students used, the ones I would add to over time. The first floor offered a research area, computers, and a circulation desk. In the back—the behind-the-scenes work took place. My new job was a desk job, different from when I worked with children at the elementary school. The majority of my work would be done on the computer, as I ordered and cataloged books. I spent a lot of time at my desk, and depending on my attitude, I occasionally felt chained, even though I could get up and move around whenever I needed to.

Thankfully, the chains of a desk are not like the shackles of despair or sin.

The psalmist writes about the chains of darkness and despair. I can't imagine being chained in utter darkness, yet that's what happens when I sin. My heart hurts if I hurt someone else. My legs feel heavy when I'm not walking with Jesus. The light dims when I'm not looking to the One who saved me from myself.

Jesus came to break the chains of sin and darkness and give us light and grace. God doesn't want His children to live in darkness or chains. He wants us to live in the freedom of forgiveness.

Seek Jesus and break the chains. 

Bloom

We all go through dark times, sadness, sorrow, grief, difficulties, 

but there is good news. 

We don't have to stay there. 

With God's help, we can grow through the dirt and bloom! 

Yes, bloom. 

Blossom into beautiful people who understand others' trials and difficulties. 

We can be the person who reaches out and comforts, 

the one who accepts the scars of others and loves them like Jesus.

Sometimes when you're in a dark place,

you think you've been buried,

but actually you've been planted...

BLOOM!

 

A Dog's Wisdom

James 3:17-18
But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.

Let's make common sense more common.

When our dog, Rosie May, was a puppy, we took her for training. She learned to sit, lay down, stay off (well, kind of) and shake. She still doesn't get the concept of stay, but at least she sits when she needs to. The good thing about dogs is they have great instincts. She knows when I don't feel well, and she wants to comfort me. Rosie May loves kids and wants to friend them. She senses when someone is outside and goes to the windows to see if she needs to protect us. Dogs listen to their gut. They hear things we don't and respond accordingly. In their own way, dogs have an internal wisdom.

When I think of wisdom, I also consider common sense. The innate instinct to do the right thing. I love how James shares his understanding of wisdom. Wisdom comes from God and loves peace. It's considerate (thinks of others) submissive to God's guidance, merciful, filled with the fruit of the Spirit, fair and discerning, and sincere and truthful. If there is any doubt as to whether something is a wise choice, measure the wisdom against James 3:17. The wisdom of a believer comes from the Holy Spirit. When I make decisions, I want to check my judgement against the wisdom that comes from God.

While Rosie May has instincts, I have the Holy Spirit to guide me in decisions. His voice speaks to my heart to be a peace-loving person who is kind to others, submissive to God, and considerate of situations.

Seek God's wisdom and use His common sense as you navigate life.

Natural Beauty

This eastern tiger swallowtail swooped
around the purple coneflowers,
when I was watering plants the other day.

Imagine, the same God who created people, 
crafted this beautiful creature
who floats from flower to flower
and provides a way for pollen to move
where it needs to,
and we get to enjoy the show.

Thank you God for the beauty you've given us.

What natural beauty have you spotted lately?

Garden Surprise!

Matthew 13: 44-46
The Parables of the Hidden Treasure and the Pearl

“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.

“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.

The columbine had finished blooming. 

The other day, I cut back the columbine, an early spring bloomer, and opened up a spot in the front of my garden. With the spent flowers gone, the pink and white flox shined and flowered to their fullest, but the best surprise, hidden under the other plants, was the sweet little pinkish-red begonia. I had no idea this little guy even existed. He hid under the other plants, yet his blossom pushed forth.

I admit, my heart did a little flip-flop of excitement when I spied the tiny thing. I'd thought about buying some begonias and planting them this year, but never did, so this little one brought me unexpected joy. I hope it grows and continues to bloom this summer.

Like my hidden treasure in the flower bed, the kingdom of heaven is a gift to us. I didn't buy it, but Jesus did. He's the one who buys the field, in the parable, so He can share the treasure with the people who love and believe in Him.

The same with the pearls. Jesus gave everything so that we could be part of the kingdom of heaven. I can't buy my way into salvation or heaven, but Jesus can and did. He traded His life for mine because He loves so much. When I spied the little begonia, I was reminded of Jesus' great love and His gift of eternal life. His gift is free for anyone who wants it.

Seek Jesus and receive His treasure.

Constant Consistency

 Every year without fail, the double lilies, my mom gave me, burst into bloom.

I can count on them to show their pretty heads at the end of June.

Every summer as I watch the flowers bloom, 

I'm reminded of the constant consistency of Jesus. 

Regardless of the circumstances or seasons

Jesus remains the same.

He shows up for us every day, loves us every day, and longs for us 

to part of His kingdom every day.

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. -Hebrews 13:8

If you're looking for someone to trust, who won't let you down, seek Jesus.

Washed

Hebrews 10:19-22
Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. 

The waves pushed and pulled. 

We rested on the rocks under Marblehead Lighthouse in northern Ohio. Lake Erie's water ebbed and flowed over the shore. A splash, then the water washed the stone, over and over. As I watched the water run in and out, I noticed how it rolled over the same stones in the same pattern. With every wave, the flow touched that rock again and again.

I remember a song from my childhood days in church that asked if you were washed by the blood of the Lamb. I was baptized around fourteen years old and was washed by water and the blood of Jesus. I'm not certain, at that age, if I understood what salvation meant. I believed in Jesus and knew He loved me, but it took me years to have the faith I needed to trust God with all of my heart.

Hebrews talks a lot about how to live life as a follower of Jesus. I love I can have confidence living for Jesus. My faith grows more each day. Watching the water flow over the rock reminded me I'm on a journey, and God washes over me with His love, grace, and hope. As the rock continues to be shaped by the lake water, I continue to be molded by my Creator.

Allow God to wash you with His mercy and grace.