God Sees the Big Picture

Dear friends of mine, sequestered like the rest of us, found that putting a jigsaw puzzle together is a great way to make the most of this at-home time. They chose a 1,000 smaller-pieces puzzle. Far more challenging than 500-pieces like I usually choose! They started off all gung ho – displaying on FB when they completed the frame. I know how that feels as my family and I are puzzle fans also. Getting the frame completed gives the foundation for completing the rest.

It’s usually at Christmas that we’re all-in with getting a puzzle put together. It’s displayed on a table area or kitchen island. We can’t help ourselves – every time we walk past that area, we have to stop and find at least one piece. Such satisfaction comes finding that piece that opens the door for other pieces to pop in. And then the big ta-da – when someone gets to put in the last piece. Oh, the thrill of accomplishment!

But, not so, for my friends. The last piece was never found. She said: “Aargghh! We have one missing puzzle piece. How is that possible?!?” Her husband said: “We finally finished the puzzle, only to find there is a missing piece! 😖 Still enjoyed it enough that we have already ordered another.” Their frustration didn't stop them from carrying on.

And, so it is with us – we don’t let disappointments stop us! My friends had the box lid which showed the 1,000-piece puzzle – all completed. And, we want God to show us our lives: “Please, Lord, show me how this situation – this time of isolation – this time of fear – this time of worry and uncertainty – this time of disappointment – PLEASE show me how it’s going to turn out! I don’t want it to end up with missing pieces.” In real life and in puzzles, God works all things together for good -- but He has a perfect way, a perfect plan, and a perfect time, and He will not be rushed. He just asks us to trust Him.

The outside-of-the-box puzzle picture gives us hope for the finished product. But, it sure seems overwhelming when we first dump out all the pieces on the table. Similarly, we love the picture God presents in His Word of what we may become, what our future looks like, but often our patience gives way before the final picture is put together. God certainly wants us to try! So why don’t we? Let’s keep stretching and trusting and seeking Him Who has the BIG PICTURE already in action. Let’s let God’s grace keep helping us become the best-put-together puzzle we could ever be! We can trust God that He is working on our behalf – even when we don’t see any evidence that He is. That’s what faith is!

Jesus looked at them and said, “With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God.” Mark 10:27

The Blessings of Listening

Last week I blogged about listening for God's voice. I admitted to my own inabilities to hear Him as often as I should because of so many distractions. But, on another note, I'd like to share with you some of the times when I did listen and how it paid off.

There were the times when I was hurt because of what someone said or did. And, hurt turned into frustration. So, I thought, I'll state my case in a nice lengthy email. I made sure that my words were only tainted a tad bit with my angst. I felt my words were kind and made my point. "Good job", I thought. Then, when I was ready to hit the "send" button, I stopped short. I heard a whisper in my heart, "Don't send it." Then I thought to myself, "I haven’t talked to God about this yet, have I?" I paused, sat back in my chair and prayed over the little email I was about to launch. That prayer nudged me to sleep on it. I did. Next morning, I realized that no matter how savory my words were, they could be misconstrued and it just wouldn't be worth the confrontation. I realized the same Holy Spirit Who nudged me to sleep on it, is the same Holy Spirit that lives in my friend.

We've all heard the saying, "Sleep on it. Give it fresh eyes in the morning." Good advice. I know that routine because that's what I do each day after I've typed my blog. Since I always make sure my blog goes live by 6 am every day, I sleep on it and with those fresh eyes I scan it and invariably, I'll see a grammatical error or a sentence that isn't needed or it's just way too long and so I edit something out that wasn't necessary. I like to think it's not just my eyes that scans it, but Holy Spirit scans it with me -- for me! Those little edits are heaven-sent. I just know it.

I've learned my lessons well because there were times when I sensed/heard God whisper and ignored it. The still small voice—the warning. I know that it's so much more than my conscience speaking. Well, in fact, I know that my conscience holds hands with the Holy Spirit, so I've come to welcome those warnings. Because, there were times when I didn't act on those warnings, and it is just not worth the misery it caused.

Today, I count on that voice that causes me to take a little longer before I send a text message, an email, or even speak my mind. I'm taking my time to consider the outcome if I said this or that. I'd like to say I've conquered the hastily-spoken words and said something that seemed so innocent, but in the ears of someone else, were taken the wrong way.

Here's what I know for sure. God doesn’t speak to hear His own voice. No, He lovingly will use whatever it takes to protect us from our own undoing. His voice is not only one of correction but a voice of protection. I've learned to discern His voice better AND I'm remembering to ask for it.

"Call to me and I will answer you and tell you unsearchable things you do not know." (Jeremiah 33:3) Listen and obey. Simple as that. And when it comes to emails, text messages or real life interaction, I ask myself daily: "Will these words simply make a point or am I using my words to point to Christ?"

Be careful little mind what you think….because thoughts lead to actions and actions can sure get us into “quick sand” of regret! Please save us, Lord, from ourselves. Keep us tight with You – so tight – that we imitate You in our thoughts AND our actions!"

This is NESTING -- Preparing, Waiting, Anticipating

This is NESTING -- Preparing, Waiting, Anticipating
On Saturday, I went outside to water some plants and I was startled by the fluttering away of a mama dove that had laid two eggs in my fireplace vent outside. I quietly left that area because I wanted her to return to her nest. Then yesterday morning, I was about to clean my BBQ grill when I looked up and there, patiently, peacefully and undisturbed was this mama dove sitting on her soon-to-be-hatched babies. How significant to see such a beautiful wonder of creation on Mother’s Day. That adoring and devoted mama was waiting, anticipating and, obviously from the well-built nest in a cozy spot, preparing for her brood. I kept going outside, and Mama had not moved from her spot. She is on a mission to bring life into this world, unconcerned at all by the bird watchers that would check her out throughout the day -- and especially, when my children and grandchildren came over to power wash my porches right near her..

We, women relate to “nesting”, not only in birds, but when we, as expectant mamas, are getting close to that day when our baby will arrive. We wake up one morning feeling energetic and have the distinct urge to clean and organize our entire house. It's that overwhelming desire to get our home ready for our new baby. Sometimes, that urge is from boredom or frustration from still being pregnant, as well as knowing that the baby’s care is going to take lots of time and energy, and we want everything to be ready before the baby arrives. I recall the excitement and anticipation of that bundle of joy AND I knew the hours of love and care that I was about to give. There would be little time for much else, so, like that mama dove, my "little nest" needed to be just right.

On this Mother’s Day, I was pondering about the thoughts I had before my babies arrived. We already had their names picked out long before their arrival day. I worked tirelessly on their nursery, being sure it all set up and ready to go for the tiny, new occupant. All the gifts of clothes, nighties, and underclothes were washed and folded into the little dresser drawers. The hanging diaper holder was filled and all the tiny items were all organized for the imminent arrival of our baby. I would open those drawers and smell that sweet baby aroma.. My house was clean. My bags, with my baby’s "going home" outfit, was packed and ready to go. With our girl's arrival, we had all the plans made for taking her big brother to Granny & Papa's to stay until we came home with her. Everything was ready for her debut. The excitement was building for the BIG day!

Though I am no longer in that “season” (Thanks be to God!) of nesting because a baby is on the way, I still find myself nesting in times of sweet reflection, peace and quiet, and really pondering God’s goodness and mercy to me. Aw, pondering. Mary, the mother of our Lord, perfected that term – she pondered all those angelic messages in her heart.

This little mama dove reminded me about the importance of "being still" nesting in our Lord. It's a given that He abides in us, but when we spend time refreshing and reviving our relationship with Him, to really know Him, His peace (like the dove) comes over us and all the clamor and activity around us is as nothing. That dove really looked like a decoy -- unshakable and unmovable. Her babies were her preeminent responsibility. Nothing else mattered.

Today some of our precious family from Winnipeg, Canada are coming for a visit. I've prepared for them. I baked and cooked and made sure my house is clean. I even ordered the hockey channel on my TV for watching our Winnipeg Jets play their second game in the Stanley Cup Western Conference finals. In essence, I’m nesting and I’m preparing, waiting, anticipating, and preparing for their arrival. Maybe “nesting” is the mindset we should always have with our relationship with Christ. Peacefully, thinking about what He means to us, being still enough to know His indescribable love for us and preparing, waiting and anticipating, with joyful sense of expectation of His return. Oh, what a DEBUT that will be!

Keep Your Words Soft and Sweet

Last week I called an 800 number to get info on an online product. After a long wait in the queue, my conversation with the customer service rep was upbeat and informative, until I told the agent that I'd need to call back once I've made up my mind about ordering the product. That's when the conversation went south and she went into a Dr Jekyll to Mr Hyde mode. She angrily said, "You mean you're not ordering the product? You've wasted my time. I could have been helping someone that wanted to order. You should have called customer service!" Of course, with my tone of voice making it clear how frustrated I was at her attitude, I said "Are you kidding me? I thought I did call customer service. It was the only number I saw and you are the most rude customer service agent I've ever talked to. You need a course on customer service skills! What is your name?" She told me but it was probably a bogus name. She hung up on me. Whew!

I really don't think that unhappy gal was following standard procedures. But the more I thought about her, I really do think she needed to meet her sales quota for the day, and I interrupted her progress. And, she may have been under tremendous pressure in her home and business life.

Later that same day, I encountered a long wait in line at a store and while I was inwardly going through the thoughts "Why don't they get another check-out clerk? And, why are there three store clerks in a huddle just chatting away?" Frustrations were mounting in my little picture-perfect day.....until . . . I started thinking about the fact that I’d acted almost the same way with the rude and frustrated customer service agent. Now I was having to do a self analysis. I was regretting my impatience and lack of sensitivity now at this store, but to that agent who was, perhaps, having a tough day.

Before MY call, she probably had another caller who "wasted her time" -- especially if she is paid only by commission on what she closes. Suddenly, I felt sorry for her. I imagined her packing up her things at the end of another long day and heading home. A home where she had to face her own daily aggravations, frustrations, and to-do lists.

That’s when it hit me. While on the phone, I never pictured her as a person. To me, she was just a voice on the other end of the phone that was causing me extreme frustration.How might my reaction have been different if I’d stopped to think about her as a woman just like me? What might it be like to be her, to live her life, and to have to go to her job every day?

I really think God was trying to get my attention to be more aware of my reactions. More aware of handling daily frustrations in a way that reflects a heart that loves the Lord.

Proverbs 16:24 says "Pleasant words are honey from a honeycomb— sweet to the soul and healing for the body." I want pleasant words to come from my heart that is humble enough to reflect God’s character in my actions and reactions. Whether I am talking with a customer service rep or interacting with those I do everyday life with, I want to work towards being a woman who displays godly character. I want the Fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control to be evident.

Whether my day goes smooth as glass or is rocky and bumpy, may God’s messages of truth have such an impact on me that my heart and my mouth produce "soft and sweet words.....so that if I have to eat them, I'll be eating yummy, delectable treats. How about you?