My Choice

This image almost portrays the way I have been feeling lately. I am not quite sure if it is just because I am missing my hubby so much, or if it is just because sometimes I feel so far from home.

But life is what you make of it.

I can choose to feel all alone on the swing. Or I can swing away. I can quietly enjoy the peacefulness by the shore. Or I can jump into the water and splash up some fun. I can bemoan the fact that the sun is hiding behind the clouds. Or I can anticipate getting caught in a refreshing spring rain. Whatever, comes my way, it is my choice how I am going to think and feel about it.

So I choose to follow the apostle Paul's advice to be happy in all situations because that's what God would want me to do.

SNOWED IN

Last week, this was what I was greeted with one day when I came home from work. The snow mound left from the township plow made my driveway impassable. It made me think of life and how problems can add up to make life seem impassable.

Sometimes problems seem to pile up and up until there is a seemingly hopeless mound of troubles. Instinctively, I try to solve problems on my own with the same results that I would get if I took a shovel and tried to move this mound of snow.
Then, I surmise I got this just like when I jump into our ancient truck with the manual transmission and haphazardly move the snow just enough to get in and out of the drive. I imagine this quick fix must make God chuckle. My efforts are about as effective as a bandaid on a gaping wound.
The really awesome thing is what happens next when I realize DUH, why am I trying to do this on my own? Just like the apostle Peter proclaimed in I Peter, I need to cast all of my anxieties and worries on Jesus because He cares for me. Once I seek out God's help and guidance, things fall into place so much easier AND He carries all of that stress and worry for me. For that, I am so thankful! Kind of like the thankfulness I feel when my husband comes home and expertly plows our yard.

The Gift of Solace

My preoccupation with this place has become quite dialectic.
Snow, snow, snow... winter seems so long especially when a major snowstorm drops another foot of snow in the end of February. This makes me dream of longer, warmer days.... which makes me think of this place.

Then, I feel guilty for looking forward to going there because of a recent tragedy... it troubles my thoughts ... my heart goes out to those involved.

BUT, this bridge is a gateway to one of my favorite spots in the world... a place characterized by: the soothing sounds of the babbling creek, the welcoming splashes of colorful wildflowers, and the beckoning call of a rugged trail of soil, roots, and rocks.... this place of solace... somewhere to go to feel closer to God.

So, I reason that God knows the pain and struggles that every person endures.... He understands when no one else can because He loves us dearly... so much that He gave His one and only Son.

The point I make is that God is kind and loving. He knows and understands the struggles we face. He allows people and situations in our lives so that we can learn. So just like Paul encouraged the Galatians, I will pray that God may enable me to fulfill every good deed prompted by faith.

And... from now on, whenever I go to my favorite place, I will feel encouraged... I will say a prayer for that family and for any others that I know who need encouragement as well.

Til Death Do Us Part

This colorful silhouette emanates the love of this newlywed couple. Whenever I see a couple made for each other like these two, it makes me so thankful that we have a loving God who knew exactly what He was doing when He created man and woman. It also causes me to ponder the meaning of life and love. Jesus actually says quite a lot about the subject in Matthew 19:3-12 where He talks about marriage, sexuality, and divorce.
I became familiar with this passage years ago when I was wrestling with the guilt of a failed first marriage. God knew long before I even got married that my marriage wouldn't last. This is one of the reasons why Jesus suffered on my account. Many years later, God has blessed me with a longstanding marriage to a man I definitely do not deserve. Am I grateful? You bet! Do I have guilty feelings over the past? Nope, not anymore because I know that God has forgiven me for all of my mistakes. As God promises in Romans 8, there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

Archenemy?

I have to laugh because, as this photo collage shows, my pets are so cute. I am convinced that when God gave us charge over the animals (see Genesis 1:26), He knew how much joy we would get when we took some as pets.
My cat and dog are best buds. They eat food together, wrestle each other, and cuddle up together. If you ask around, this is quite common among these historic archenemies. So why is the notion so prevalent?
One reason could be that the media is a system that pumps such fallacies into society via television, music, and movies. One famous line about dogs and cats was made by Bill Murray in a Ghostbusters movie. In this scene, Murray equates "dogs and cats living together" with the "mass hysteria" of the end of the world. HaHaHa .... well, it makes for good box office sales.

The point is that the media spoon feeds us and we gobble up whatever is dished out without questioning validity. The bible sheds light on a lot of popular truths. I began questioning these truths the day I read what the bible has to say about Jesus' return. There are so many instances where my eyes have been opened. As Jesus promised in Matthew 7 "Seek and you will find".

So for now, I will enjoy the pleasant company of my pets while I look forward to the peaceful heaven that the prophet Isaiah spoke of in chapter 65:25:

The wolf and the lamb will feed together,

   and the lion will eat straw like the ox,
   and dust will be the serpent’s food.
They will neither harm nor destroy
   on all my holy mountain,”
says the LORD.

Someday, the real archenemy, Satan will be defeated and the Prince of Peace will reign in heaven.

Danger!

A recent trip through Munising, MI afforded me a new perspective on life.  The trip helped me to realize the great sacrifices my husband makes so that our family can be stable. It makes me admire him more than words could say! 

Through our marriage, the road we have been on has been rocky to say the least. On this particular day, the bitter, cold wind unsuccessfully tried to pry the camera from my hands making this image from the Lake Superior shore even more representative of our life.
On our journey together, it has not always been clear which path is the best or which situation is dangerous. In this scene, it is pretty evident that these waters are treacherous. But what would it be like on a calm day? The water might be deceivingly inviting. And even though the sign warns of a wicked undercurrent, that may not suffice to avoid trouble. Sometimes we have heeded the warning. Other times we have ignored it. Yet other times we have completely missed the sign. 

Life is not easy nor does each day come with a set of instructions. But there is a guide that can help to make each day navigable. God's Word provides all the guidance a person could need to navigate the calm and stormy waters of life. Just like the Psalmist proclaimed "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path." My prayer is that each day, my husband and I will seek God's will in our lives.

Silent Strength

Earlier this week, I was drawn to the silent strength of this group of white birch trees. Though the sky loomed with scowling clouds, the trees stood firm as they have for so many years.

It made me think of how God is always with me and how He can give me a kind of silent strength not so much unlike the birch trees. Like the Psalmist sang in Psalm 112: 6-8 , it's the kind of strength that enables me to endure the trials and tribulations of everyday life.

God is so good and so merciful. He is so willing to take care of my needs. I need to follow the Psalmist's advice in the beginning of the chapter. "Praise the Lord. Blessed are those who fear the Lord, who find great delight in His commands."

On the Edge

^{From the edge, I take in the majestic warmth of color, shapes, textures, and sounds} 

                                                       ^{and I realize that God has brought me here to spread my wings}

                                                                                                  ^and 

                      ^FLY          

                                                                                     

  Isaiah 40:29-31
He gives strength to the weary
   and increases the power of the weak.
 Even youths grow tired and weary,
   and young men stumble and fall;
 but those who hope in the LORD
   will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
   they will run and not grow weary,
   they will walk and not be faint. 

Calm Before the Storm

Be still my heart, heavy, leaden air before the storm.

Heart pounding, smothered breath, fight or flight.

 Terror, loneliness startle me as if early morn.

Till I look to my Comforter and Father and Son.

  
Heart takes a metronome beat.
He comforts me so calmly.
Whatever will be, will be.
Worry relents. Peace for me
No more fear will defeat me.

Regardless of the situation, I have learned to look to God for my comfort and strength. When every thing around me seems so wrong, I am comforted by the promises found in God's word. As the Psalmist proclaims, God knew the types of woes his people would face

Control

I'm back after a short hiatus.... sometimes, you just have to take a break. This beautiful scene helped realign me to a good frame of mynd.

As you probably know, I love waterfalls. This particular fall about a half hour from home is the perfect place to get an attitude adjustment. It reminds me that I have NO CONTROL over what is going on around me.... yet through all the chaos, misery, adversity, and pain there is one constant force that is comfortably predictable.

By predictable I mean it is a force I can put my trust in. Our triune God is the only omnipotent power in the universe. He is in control even when things seem impossible or unbearable. Job summarizes in Job 21 "Who is the Almighty, that we should serve him? What would we gain by praying to him?"