Seek and Find

It’s clear I keep my eyes and ears wide open for God-ideas that give me content for my daily blogs. And, that content comes from various places -- a scripture reading, praying, scrolling my social media platforms, something a friend said and in my walks. And you know what? When I seek, I find Him!

In Jeremiah 29:13, God made it clear that He isn’t playing the Hide and Go Seek game. He said: "You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." I was on purpose to see Him in my early morning walk yesterday. He wasn’t hiding. I found Him immediately when I hit the streets. Of course, He was in the trees, the cool morning breeze, (thanking God for these cool temperatures), and other people walking. He IS everywhere AND He is HERE in my heart. The more that I sensed Him, the more aware and conscious I was of His love, His mercy, grace, and most of all, His presence. That's when I started noticing the greatest symbol of His love -- the cross. I started seeing crosses on the street, on fences, windows, and objects -- thus my photo collage for this day.

The Cross -- of course, when we seek Him, we'll find Him, and this day I found Him where Jesus paid the ultimate price for us with His life. I loved seeing that reminder everywhere I walked. I paid attention to it. I purposefully looked for it. Holding on to that symbol, assures us that everything’s gonna’ be alright!

And, isn't that what this scripture means? "You will seek Me and find Me.....when you seek me with all your heart." He's just a thought away, a prayer away, a cross away, and a heart-beat away. How I thank Him for the cross and how I thank Him for the reminder of His love for me.

My friend posted this beautiful story a few days ago. It fits in well with this conversation:

THE BRIDEGROOM IS PRESENT, BUT NOT SEEN
A disciple once asked the holy one, "Where shall I look for enlightenment?"
"Here!" the holy one said.
"When will it happen?"
"It is happening right now," the holy one said.
"Then why don't I experience it?"
"Because you do not look," the holy one said.
"What should I look for?"
"Nothing," the holy one said. "Just look!"
"Must I look in a special kind of way?"
"No," the holy one said, "the ordinary way will do."
"But don't I always look in an ordinary way?"
"No," the holy one said. "You don't!"
"Why ever not?" the disciple demanded.
"Because to look, you must be here. You're mostly somewhere else."
(Story shared by Sr. Pascaline Coff O.S.B.)

Right here, HERE, He's just a thought away, a prayer away, a cross away, and a heart-beat away. How I thank Him for the cross and how I thank Him for the reminder of His love for you and me. God is here, there and everywhere! Let’s keep our eyes wide open!

Fair Weather is for Sissies

Years ago, when I was flying as a private pilot, I was called a “fair weather" pilot, meaning I only flew if the skies were clear and winds were light. I know – sissy-girl attitude, but I preferred easy-going to my destination with a trouble-free landing. That’s why I was partial to being the co-pilot for my “any weather" husband who was confident, yet cautious, in just about any weather. He loved the challenge of prevailing winds and figuring out his course of action. The more challenging the landing, the more accomplished he became as a pilot.

In sports, the term "fair weather fans" refers to those who have some interest in the team, but they want nothing to do with them when tough times occur. As soon as the team starts to turn things around and starts winning, they act as if they been there through thick and thin.

So here we are after NFL playoff weekend. I segued from my “Seek and Find” time with God (my month-long hiatus), gave Him the hand sign for “Time Out” and watched our family’s two favorite teams: Seahawks and Cowboys play in their playoff games. I’m sure God didn’t mind – He was watching His two favorite teams, too! Juuuust kidding!!! Oh the highs and lows, ups and downs, fair weather and foul weather of watching our teams play. The celebrations when we’re up and the pits in the stomach when we’re losing. Our teams lost, but what a great year it's been! I wondered: “Is it worth it to get all caught up in favorite teams and their games? Wouldn’t it be a better option to be a “Fair Weather Sports Fan” and a “Fair Weather Pilot”? No risks, no worries, safe zones, easy-going, no need for Rolaids, and just be able to live life in the comfort zone of “going with the flow”? But, then again, what a shame it would be to miss potential records being set, our teams winning THE BIG ONE, and being a co-winner with them!

And, about life -- if you've never taken a risk and failed, you've never lived on the edge! I'll never forget "the big one" that my husband and I "bet the farm" on. It was our BIG RISK -- we were going to become wealthy because of our investment in the drilling of an oil well. My husband and our young son, Ryan, stayed at the oil well -- all day and all night, watching and praying, for us to "strike it rich"! But that time -- it was not to be -- it was a DRY well. Disappointed? Yes! Was it a huge risk? Yes! Did it stop us? No! We never quit on taking risks, and I sincerely believe that is one of the reasons why our family met with many successes. Plenty of failures along the way -- but it never stopped us from trying again.

Have you failed at something you so wanted to win at? Did others scorn you for taking a risk.....and, indeed, it was a loser? Have you wished you could step out in faith and become adventurous, but you kept hearing voices that said, "Give up!" "Throw in the towel!" "It's too risky!" "You could lose everything!" "Play it safe!"

Here’s the deal: even the best-laid plans don’t always work out! That’s a reality we all face every day. So how should we live when we’re not sure how things are going to turn out? In Ecclesiastes 11, King Solomon says, “Don’t play it safe—take risks.” In other words, we should live confidently because we have a "No limits" God. We shouldn't avoid being blessed because of the concerns that come with them. We shouldn't say, “I can’t get married. What if difficult struggles come up between me and my mate?” Or, “I can’t have children. What if I'm not a good parent?" Or, “I can’t go for that business opportunity. What if I fail at it?” Or, “I can’t use my savings for that dream trip we’ve always wanted. What if our car breaks down or we have a health crisis and we need that money?”

All those "What ifs" are "Fair Weather" attitudes that keep us complacent and settling for the status quo. No risks – no glory! Life is really about the thrill of the hunt, the expectations of victories and celebrations of wins and even the loses. When we take a deep breath, and hang in there for the highs and lows, and the ups and downs, we’ll be guaranteed a life of grand adventures. Yes, we may get sweaty palms, white knuckles, indigestion, and even some bumps and bruises, but then we remind ourselves, God knows the outcome of the weather so we might as well throw our hands up in the air and enjoy the thrills that await us on this exciting ANY weather ride!!

Let's Play Hide & Seek

Day 157 of Photo Inspirations -- Let's Play Hide & Seek
I love stopping in to see my little great niece when she has her weekly visit with my mother-in-law, her Great Granny.  On my way home from Texas, yesterday, I stopped in to see her before I made it home   She'll be two this month and, oh my, does she ever provide non-stop entertainment.  I told my sister-in-law that they need to charge for visitors to see her.  She's got quite the personality AND charm -- not to mention that she talks like a 3-year old!  Yesterday, she was entertaining herself, and us, as she played in Mom's water hose -- thus, my photo inspirations for today.

I thought about my last visit to see her and she was playing Hide & Seek with me.  I counted and she hid -- well, not exactly -- before I finished counting, she was coming back around the corner, saying "I'm here!"  Then she had some plastic eggs left over from Easter and she'd hide them from us, but when we'd go looking for them, she'd lead us to them to show us where they were at.  In reality, she really wasn't "hiding" and we didn't really have to "seek" too hard at all.  

On Sunday, I posted about having a "God-consciousness" -- an awareness of Him with us, around us, and in us all the time.  The scripture reference I used was "You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." Jeremiah 29:13.  After I posted that message, an exclamation point was placed on what I said, as I heard the minister quote this scripture:  "And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who SEEK HIM."  Hebrews 11:6

Somewhat like my little niece, God likes playing "NOT HIDING, BUT SEEKING".  He's not "gaming us" -- manipulating us.  He's giving us the clues, the secrets, the keys, the absolute answers to "Where is God when I need Him?"   He's right here.  Right now.  He's exposed Himself to us and He's even leading us to the treasures in secret places.  All He asks in return?  To seek Him with our whole hearts; to trust in Him and believe in Him.  And here's the real deal -- He always plays fair.  He doesn't cheat.  He doesn't hide from us where we can't find Him.  And, like my little niece, He says -- loud and clear....."I'M HERE!"