SOLITARY CONFINEMENT

You all know I am an introvert.  That does not mean I desire to be by myself all of the time.  In fact, I consider myself very social.  It does mean I need time alone to re-energize and think.

I love this quote from Oscar Wilde.  The last few years I have discovered who I am by being alone.  Introspection is a great tool and impossible to do while in the company of others.

There are times when I do have too much alone time.  Negative thoughts begin to creep into my head during those times.  I begin to doubt who I know I am and more time alone is not my friend.

 The voice whispering in my ear all those negative thoughts is NOT the voice of God.  It is the one who comes to seek, kill, and destroy.  Any time spent on these negative thoughts is time away from being used by God for His glory and good pleasure.   The discipline I must practice is comparing what I am hearing to what God has promised in His Word.  If it does not measure up, He is not saying it.  Then I must denounce the liar and proclaim the truth.  For you see, even when I am alone, I am truly never alone.

This is one truth that is undeniable.  

Be strong and courageous.

 Do not be afraid or terrified because of them,

 for the Lord your God goes with you;

 he will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Deuteronomy 31:6

SEARCHING FOR THE LIGHT

Our Sunday School class has begun the study of I John.  The proof of our hunger for the Word Of God is in the growing number of participants.  Four gifted teachers rotate the teaching and each has a slightly different style.  It is stimulating and encouraging, but most important spurs me on to personal study.

This week we were exploring "God is Light".  We spent over an hour on 3 verses--power packed verses.  I remembered a story I had not thought about for a few years while we were discussing God being light-

A few years ago on one of my travel adventures, we went on a cave tour.  I am not a big fan of caves, but as long as there is light I am able to tolerate the claustrophobic feeling.  We walked down into that cave for what seemed like an eternity.  Thankfully the path was well illuminated, but there was no doubt that you were going deeper and deeper into the bowels of the earth.  The guide had the large group stop in an open chamber and then proceeded to turn off the lights--with warning.  I cannot tell you how disoriented I quickly became.  You could not see your hand in front of your face.  If you have ever been deeply underwater, you have experienced the loss of what is up and where is down.  It was very similar--but there is also absolutely not even one small shadow of light.  I could not tell there was anyone in the cave with me. Alone and disconnected, I was extremely agitated.  This is what I often refer to as "Out of Body" experience.  I do not feel connected anymore. I need the light!

As a response to the complete darkness, your pupils begin to dilate to allow more light to enter your eye.  When there is no light, they become completely dilated--in search of the light-for you see to be able to see--we need the light.  And then--BAM! there is light.  We were blinded by the sudden brightness with fully dilated pupils.  Our eyes were now flooded with the rush of rays of light and we were temporarily blinded by the brightness until our pupils returned to normal.  Our eyes need light to function correctly and without the light we are blind.

We are also disoriented as we travel through this world without the light of God in our lives.  We are groping around in the dark--searching for the hope that only He can supply.  Often we head in the wrong direction in our search and suffer the consequences of stumbling upon a dead end.  His light is so sufficient--so perfect--that we are unable to stand in the presence of His light-looking upon His full glory.  We are only able to see glimpses of His fullness and perfection--the radiance of His majesty.  But OH--the glory of His Light and how desperately we need Him to light our way.

This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you,

that God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all.

I John 1:5

DON'T HOLD BACK

Have you ever heard a story that at first glance struck your funny bone, but after more thought you were deeply saddened?  I was told such a story this past week, which I will share with you.  I do not even know the names of the parties involved, so there is no one to protect.

A husband was commenting on how he loved to cuddle with his wife.  All is fine--and even after three children, he still finds her beautiful and desirable.  One thing that can throw a bucket of cold water on any more cuddling is the husband touching the wrong spot on the wife.  You see after three children your stomach does not look the same as pre-children.  If the husband happens to pull the wife closer by gently tugging while touching her stomach, the game is over.  Do not pass go, go directly to jail, because you have broken the cardinal rule of no touching the stomach.

I laughed out loud when I heard this story.  For you see, I totally identify with it.  My three children were whoppers at birth.  I am not a large woman---my stomach has NEVER been the same.  I have done thousands of sit ups, leg lifts, planks, and ever other abdominal torture you can imagine to regain the firm belly of my youth.  It simply is NOT going to happen.  As it was described when the story was told, you have a pouch--really it is loose skin from all the stretching during pregnancy and it will NEVER be the same again.  (NOW you know my deep dark secret)

We don't like to be reminded of our imperfections and touching is a strong reminder.  Convinced the entire rest of the world has flat stomachs--for after all that is all you ever see in the media--we are very conscious of our short coming.  No matter what anyone may tell you about how you look, you only believe the mirror.  A quick glance at your profile will have you headed for the moo moo aisle at the local clothing outlet.

Here is what is really sad about this after much thought.  We forget to be thankful for three healthy babies and instead focus on what in the world happened to my body.  We forget to be thankful for a spouse who only sees us as beautiful and still desires our mature body and instead believe the media's idea of beauty.  We forget the beauty of love and the deep connection of a husband and wife and instead push away from that beauty because of our shame over what we perceive as our short coming-a round belly.  We hold a part of ourselves back.

So it is with God, we push Him away when we feel our imperfections are showing.  He couldn't possibly love us with our __________--you fill in the blank.  Whether it is a hidden sin, need for more, sharp tongue, jealousy--whatever, how could He love us if we allow Him to view the real us?  So, we hold back--try to keep Him from really seeing us.  AND all the time, He loves us--no matter what--battle scars, flaws, sin, short comings---HE LOVES THE ENTIRE PACKAGE.  There is nothing He wants more than for us to confess what we see as our weakness so He can assure us--He still loves us.  Don't hold back--give Him your all and experience the wonder of how deeply He loves. We are perfect in His sight.

You, Lord, are forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who call to you.

Psalm 86:7

SO WILL I

IF CREATION

SINGS YOUR PRAISES,

SO WILL I.

BLESSED SABBATH,

DEAR FRIENDS!

ENOUGH ALREADY

UNCLE!

ENOUGH OF WINTER, ALREADY!

OUT OF NOWHERE

We have all heard that phrase, "I feel like I have been run over by a Mack truck."  My good friend and adventure buddy may not have been run over, but she was hit by a car while out running in the early morning hours.

A driver turned left on a one way street at a red light and did not look up to notice a runner heading into her path.  My friend was hit and thrown on the hood of the car before sliding to the ground.  This is a picture of the back of her arm and I understand other parts look just as bad.  Fortunately, there were no bone breaks, head injuries, or internal bleeding, and she is up and getting after it again.  This gives new meaning to getting up, dusting off, and hitting the road again.

There are times in life when we are "blind sided".  Hit and flattened before we realize what has happened.  My sweet neighbor lost her husband recently when he had a stroke in the middle of the night--quite unexpectedly.  Without warning, he was here one day and gone the next.  I am certain she is still in shock and trying to wrap her head around this happening.

You walk into the doctor's office healthy and walk out with a fatal diagnosis out of nowhere.  One test reveals what has been lurking inside without you having a clue.  Your life is forever changed with one conversation with a doctor.

Life sometimes throws us an unexpected curve ball.  From out of nowhere, we see the Mack truck headed right for us and we are unable to step out of the way.  BAM!  We are flattened by the unexpected.  Just as fast as the unexpected happened, life seems to return to normal for everyone but you--the one flattened.  HOW do you go on with life when it has been forever altered as quick as a flash?

There is ONLY one way--to not only go on--but do it with grace and courage--with God by your side.  He will supply your needs, He will hold your tears, and He will never forsake or leave you---IT'S PROMISED IN THE BOOK!  So take heart--be of strong courage--KNOW that God is by your side--through it all--He holds you in the palm of His hand.

 So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.

 I will strengthen you and help you;

 I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Isaiah 41:10

ONLY A NUMBER

I must confess crossing the bridge into my 8th decade here on this terrestrial ball has not been all easy.  Let's face it, for most of my life, I considered 70 really old.  Add to that the fact I see a great number of my peers now suffering from failing bodies, and I could work myself into a fit of depression.

This week I had something to happen that totally changed how I feel about this over 70 thing.  I saw a news flash recently on Nancy Pelosi stating she is 79 years of age.  NOW--if she is still able to stir up trouble and anger half the nation at that ripe old age--surely there is hope for me!  

Curious I then looked up the age of the rulers of our nation.  Those men and women we have elected to make the laws, write the budget, and decide the path we will take.  Would you believe 31 of the 100 senators are over 70?  One third of the senate is of advanced age, but we elect them to continue to serve.  Someone has a great deal of faith in these seniors to make the correct decisions in spite of their age. 

A good friend recently told me that Grandma Moses was in her late 70's before she BEGAN to paint.  The only reason she began what she was most famous for was the arthritis in her hands would not allow her to sew anymore.  Harlan Sanders aka Kentucky Fried Chicken launched his franchise empire in his late 60's.  When I started researching those who bloomed late and became successful, I was amazed at the length of the list.

Why look in the Bible.  Moses was no Spring Chicken when the Promised Land finally came into sight.  And do not discount the women, Elizabeth was long past child bearing and in fact on the road of advanced age when John the Baptist was born.  Over and over in the Bible we see examples of men and women in their latter years being used in a mighty way by God.

SO--"It's not over until the Fat Lady sings" and she is still warbling away.

I am looking forward to seeing how God uses me in this next decade.  One thing is for CERTAIN---He's not finished growing me up yet!  Seventy is only a number--what is truly important is the mind set I have at seventy.  Bring it on-

70's---I am excited to see what is in store!

They still bear fruit in old age; they are ever full of sap and green,

Psalm 92:14