I sat down this morning as I thought about preparing for the day. The photographer is coming today to take pictures of the house to put it on the market. Our beloved Chicago home will be out there for all to see at the beginning of next week. It is part of the process that I know so well.
I am very confidant in the Lord's plans for us. I am excited to see what the next chapter holds as we journey to New York City. I trust Him with every bit of my future.
That being said, my heart craves reassurance from Him that we are in this together. It craves encouragement in the midst of the chaos.
This morning, I read Psalm 94 and this particular verse jumped out at me as a gift straight from the Lord.
But the Lord has been my stronghold and my God the Rock of my Refuge.
YAY! What a great reminder of the foundation of my life and the goodness of the Lord. His Word calms me and reminds me of the truths I already know and rely on.
Proverbs 3:5-6 goes through my mind continually right now.
Trust the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. Acknowledge Him in all your ways and He will make your paths straight.
Philippians 4:4-7 is ever present.
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!
Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near.
Be anxious for nothing but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
So - even in the midst of a very busy season of life, the Lord is real.
He is present.
He is walking beside me.
He is continually reminding me of His great love for me.
He is going before me to prepare the way.
I am so thankful for a personal Savior who is aware of each detail of my days. He is completely trustworthy as I lean into Him.
My heart is at rest.
Thursday, January 22, 2015
Monday, January 19, 2015
Monday Musings ~ That's not fair!
How often do we hear ~ That's not fair!!!!
I remember saying it as a child and I occasionally say it as an adult!
I hear it from children all the time.
It is a common mantra.
There is something that rises up inside of us when we see something that is not fair and certainly when we experience it.
Enter Matthew 20:1-15.
1-2 “God’s kingdom is like an estate manager who went out early in the morning to hire workers for his vineyard. They agreed on a wage of a dollar a day, and went to work.
3-5 “Later, about nine o’clock, the manager saw some other men hanging around the town square unemployed. He told them to go to work in his vineyard and he would pay them a fair wage. They went.
5-6 “He did the same thing at noon, and again at three o’clock. At five o’clock he went back and found still others standing around. He said, ‘Why are you standing around all day doing nothing?’
7 “They said, ‘Because no one hired us.’
“He told them to go to work in his vineyard.
8 “When the day’s work was over, the owner of the vineyard instructed his foreman, ‘Call the workers in and pay them their wages. Start with the last hired and go on to the first.’
9-12 “Those hired at five o’clock came up and were each given a dollar. When those who were hired first saw that, they assumed they would get far more. But they got the same, each of them one dollar. Taking the dollar, they groused angrily to the manager, ‘These last workers put in only one easy hour, and you just made them equal to us, who slaved all day under a scorching sun.’
13-15 “He replied to the one speaking for the rest, ‘Friend, I haven’t been unfair. We agreed on the wage of a dollar, didn’t we? So take it and go. I decided to give to the one who came last the same as you. Can’t I do what I want with my own money? Are you going to get stingy because I am generous?’
Does that story resonate with you?
Are you the all day laborer or the last minute laborer?
There is something in us that wants fairness and justice - but there is a deeper need for grace.
Jesus knows that what we think we need and what we truly need are often not the same thing.
God's kingdom is like . . .
I picture the day laborer who had waited and waited all day to be hired. His head is low as he pictures returning home one more day with nothing to show for it. His shoulders sag as he thinks of disappointing his family yet again. Oh, the JOY of being chosen at the last hour to work at the estate.
Oh the JOY of being chosen.
He works for an hour and then lines up to be paid. He isn't expecting much, after all, he only worked for an hour. He steps up to receive his wages and he is paid for a whole day!
WHAT!?!?
Even a small amount of money would have been a gift, but a whole day's wage was such a surprise.
Oh my -- so undeserved -- so generous --so unexpected.
I understand those that were upset, but I am bowled over by this man.
He is me - He is you.
Jesus isn't fair.
He is gracious and graciousness is so much more than fair.
I remember saying it as a child and I occasionally say it as an adult!
I hear it from children all the time.
It is a common mantra.
There is something that rises up inside of us when we see something that is not fair and certainly when we experience it.
Enter Matthew 20:1-15.
1-2 “God’s kingdom is like an estate manager who went out early in the morning to hire workers for his vineyard. They agreed on a wage of a dollar a day, and went to work.
3-5 “Later, about nine o’clock, the manager saw some other men hanging around the town square unemployed. He told them to go to work in his vineyard and he would pay them a fair wage. They went.
5-6 “He did the same thing at noon, and again at three o’clock. At five o’clock he went back and found still others standing around. He said, ‘Why are you standing around all day doing nothing?’
7 “They said, ‘Because no one hired us.’
“He told them to go to work in his vineyard.
8 “When the day’s work was over, the owner of the vineyard instructed his foreman, ‘Call the workers in and pay them their wages. Start with the last hired and go on to the first.’
9-12 “Those hired at five o’clock came up and were each given a dollar. When those who were hired first saw that, they assumed they would get far more. But they got the same, each of them one dollar. Taking the dollar, they groused angrily to the manager, ‘These last workers put in only one easy hour, and you just made them equal to us, who slaved all day under a scorching sun.’
13-15 “He replied to the one speaking for the rest, ‘Friend, I haven’t been unfair. We agreed on the wage of a dollar, didn’t we? So take it and go. I decided to give to the one who came last the same as you. Can’t I do what I want with my own money? Are you going to get stingy because I am generous?’
Does that story resonate with you?
Are you the all day laborer or the last minute laborer?
There is something in us that wants fairness and justice - but there is a deeper need for grace.
Jesus knows that what we think we need and what we truly need are often not the same thing.
God's kingdom is like . . .
I picture the day laborer who had waited and waited all day to be hired. His head is low as he pictures returning home one more day with nothing to show for it. His shoulders sag as he thinks of disappointing his family yet again. Oh, the JOY of being chosen at the last hour to work at the estate.
Oh the JOY of being chosen.
He works for an hour and then lines up to be paid. He isn't expecting much, after all, he only worked for an hour. He steps up to receive his wages and he is paid for a whole day!
WHAT!?!?
Even a small amount of money would have been a gift, but a whole day's wage was such a surprise.
Oh my -- so undeserved -- so generous --so unexpected.
I understand those that were upset, but I am bowled over by this man.
He is me - He is you.
Jesus isn't fair.
He is gracious and graciousness is so much more than fair.
For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is a gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.
Ephesians 2:8-9
Thank God that Jesus isn't fair.
Friday, January 16, 2015
A month of reflections on an ordinary life
Yes -- it has been a month or even a bit more since I sat down to write anything. Of course, that month has included about 5,000 miles of driving, two plane flights, stays in 3 states and lots of fun.
Life is happening.
It is happening FAST.
It is reeling out of control at times . . .
but there are also some sweet moments of solitude,
relaxation and quiet.
We had a wonderful Christmas in snowy Colorado with our kids, grandkids and my parents. It was a wonderful time.
Every day baby time is my favorite.
I'm soaking up these days.
They are priceless.
Just in case you didn't see the news, we are moving to New York City in March.
This is one of the views out of our apartment window. The apartment is being redone and we will move into it mid March.
I'll be talking about those big changes and what wrapping up life in Chicago is like over these next couple of months. There is a lot to say - to say the least!
For now - I'll say that God is faithful.
He is faithful to lead.
He is faithful to guide our every step in decision making.
He is faithful to provide.
He is faithful to fill up our hearts and souls in ways we can not even begin to imagine.
So - here is to 2015.
It is going to be a grand adventure.
Life is happening.
It is happening FAST.
It is reeling out of control at times . . .
but there are also some sweet moments of solitude,
relaxation and quiet.
We had a wonderful Christmas in snowy Colorado with our kids, grandkids and my parents. It was a wonderful time.
Every day baby time is my favorite.
They are priceless.
Just in case you didn't see the news, we are moving to New York City in March.
This is one of the views out of our apartment window. The apartment is being redone and we will move into it mid March.
I'll be talking about those big changes and what wrapping up life in Chicago is like over these next couple of months. There is a lot to say - to say the least!
For now - I'll say that God is faithful.
He is faithful to lead.
He is faithful to guide our every step in decision making.
He is faithful to provide.
He is faithful to fill up our hearts and souls in ways we can not even begin to imagine.
So - here is to 2015.
It is going to be a grand adventure.
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do now lean on your own understanding. Acknowledge Him in all your ways and He will make your paths straight."
Proverbs 3:5-6
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