Wipe Away

I must decrease so He can increase. I love John the Baptist's vision of himself. Oh to be so full of The Spirit! Even before birth....I just can't imagine. Carrying an unborn baby that is so full of my Great Father's Spirit that I would recognize the presence of the Lord in my cousin's womb. How awesome is that? I keep thinking how intentional God is.

I wipe away grime on dishes, wipe smears on windows, wipe counters, wipe bottoms, wipe crayons that have gone awry off paper, wipe away food on floors, wipe tears form fallen cherubs, wipe frowns from worried brows, wipe stress from husband's back, wipe mud come in from play...I wipe and I wipe and I wipe.

It's not enough. What I wipe for my family never can be compared to what Christ has wiped away for me. The pit of Hell, the searing after-effects of choices made, the pain of unstoppable hurt that weans but aches, the stab of rejection, the burden of those I love's anxieties, my own fears and unmet needs.

I come to the Father, because of Christ's love. He bore on the cross my everything needing to be wiped away. He not only took the gross, grimy stuff,  He now draws me with His loving kindness to give to him the shame, the blushing, and the cowardice that it all brought. He asks that I pour it out of me into Him, so he can carry it and fill me with the newness of Him. Taking spills and messes and returning it with an array of delicious filling goodness. Oh I am thankful. Enough writing for now. I have some very intentional wiping up to do for someone I love. Too.

Bit By Bit

"If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously without reproach, and it will be given to Him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind."     James 1:5-6

Washing in, washing out. Emotions rise, emotions fall. I sense the surge of my will. Not my will but yours be done, Lord. Wash me and make me white as snow.  I see this battle over sea of life. I crave the peace that stills. I must still to have this peace. I feel the surge of rush. Anxiety overshadowing trust. I hear the call of false duty that shouts in my mind, "hurry!"

Everywhere I look.....stress. Like a wayward vine it overtakes hearts and minds. This world will come to an end. We feel the nearness of it's time. We feel the panic down deep that something must be done. We look to the one who sets the sun. Who moves time. He holds it all. We rejoice. It will as he said. I fall sad over those who will not choose him.

I pray for a harnessed leading today. Like a well trained horse, I lift my head to the one who leads me. I place the bit over my tongue and I look to him for his direction. All day long the spirit tugs here and there. I will go, I will say, I will do. I am filled with joy in sharing labor with my Master. I see the works he has laid out and we walk, trot, work, as one to accomplish much. I am thankful.

Cold Wind

Snow blows vertical. I stand at the sink drinking crisp, cold well water and I think of living water. Flowing so we can take in. Water made to nurture life.

God blows in cold air and all air around me feels cold. Come summer he will blow in warm air and all air around me will be warm.

How is it that we have gone so turned side in our thinking? I have seen this virus in my own life. My way prayed out  equals God responding to me. Then I wonder where the joy is. No peace is to be found in this thinking.

The wind blows cold and I go out in skin covered. The wind blows hot. I go out in skin bare. I respond to it, it does not respond to me. I need the presence of God. I bow down. In the innermost places of myself, bend to trial, hurt, and frustration. I kneel down to receive reconciliation, understanding, and hope. I see God's glorious work. His strong hand bring gifts of His goodness. I raise hands up high. I clap. I dance.

Refiner's fire hits hard. Joy comes. Sickness humbles. Healing rejoices. I see the Father at work. I am thankful.