Constant Expectation

 (John 14:3)

Yesterday school was closed.  Not because it had snowed the night before, but because there was a high chance of it to begin snowing throughout the day.  It was an unexpected blessing, giving us the chance to enjoy time together with family and friends.  I found, though, that no matter what we did, whether it was watching a movie together, rearranging bedrooms, petting the dogs, making cookies, or whatever, there was a constant expectation that at any moment it would begin to snow.

Our snow gear was pulled out and ready to be worn, sleds were found in the garage, wood was stacked by the fireplace, and hot chocolate and marshmallows were lined up in the cabinet, waiting to be consumed.  We were ready...prepared...for the great arrival of the snow.  We just didn't know what time it would come.  We were certain it was on its way, though!  The newscasters had told us there was a 100% chance of snow.  It was coming, and there was no way we would be missed.  So we went about our day, living life somewhat normally, yet with a bit more joy in our steps, a feeling of expectation quickening our heart rates, and a constant glance out the windows knowing that at some point we would see snow.  It would come as promised.  And our day would be even better because of its arrival.

As we waited, I couldn't help but think that one day an event even greater than snow will happen.  It won't just hit parts of the US like the snow did, but will come to every nation on earth.  It will be an event more spectacular than anything we have ever yet experienced.  There is 100% chance that this will happen.  Yes, without a doubt, one day Jesus will return!  It has been promised, foretold.  He didn't want us to wonder if we would ever see Him again, so He told us that He will, most certainly, return.  That's how I know.  John 14:3 tells us Jesus' words:  "And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am."

He is coming back some day.  
                                     Maybe even today!!     
                                                              Are we ready for His arrival?

I went through great lengths to make sure I was prepared for the arrival for the snow.
   What have I done today to prepare for the arrival of my Lord?

I kept looking out the window, believing that the snow was, indeed, coming.
   Do I truly believe that Jesus will be coming back?  
 Am I watching for Him?

I was thrilled about the idea of the coming of the snow...couldn't wait for it to happen.
  How excited am I about Jesus' return?

Thank you, Lord, for the beauty and joy of the snow.  What a gift.  Most most of all, though, thank you for the reminder that something...someONE...much, much greater than the snow will be coming as well.  In fact, He is the One who washes us white as snow, isn't He?  As I look out the window, seeing the beauty and peace that is emanated from a world blanketed with snow, it makes me slow down and ponder the gift that Christ blankets His children with robes of righteousness.  

Ignite our hearts to beat for You, Lord Jesus.  Fill us with joy and expectation for Your return.  And show us how to best prepare ourselves while we wait.  I don't want to be caught not caring.
                                                        
                                                                              I want to be ready.   

Playing on the Steps of Life

(Psalm 40:16)

I am in St. Louis this week, taking a class...so close to graduating.  When we broke for lunch yesterday, I walked over to the apartment complex where I am staying.  I opened the main door to the building, and was overjoyed to see an adorable little girl.  She seemed to be around 18 months old, she had fine, wispy blond hair, and big blue eyes.  She had on a pair of cute pink boots, and a big blue parka that was zipped to her chin.  She had obviously either just come inside from the cold, or was bundled up to go out.  At first she didn't notice me, for

          she was completely caught up in the joy of playing on the steps.

                              She'd go up 2 or 3 steps,
                                                                   then down,
                                                           then up,
                                                                       then down,
                                                                                 giggling the whole time.

As I watched her, I kept expecting her mom to come around the corner, but after a minute or two of waiting, I became concerned, so I sat down with the baby girl to talk to her.

 

"Hi!  Do you know how cute you are?  I am Twila.  What's your name?  You are having a great time on these steps, aren't you?"

Of course her answer to my questions was simply a tilt of her head with a questioning look in her eyes.

Then, still acting as if she could have a grand conversation with me, I asked the question,

              "Where is your Mommy?  Do you know?  Do you live in one of these apartments?"

Immediately, as this little one recognized the name 'Mommy', she looked around, and realizing that she was apart from her mother, she formed a sad pout on her face.  All of a sudden, she missed her mom deeply, and wanted to be with her.

Before any tears fell, though, the back door opened, and in came the little girl's mother.  She was having a hard time getting this girl's brother to come inside from the playground.  As soon as the little girl saw her mommie, who obviously was near and dear to her, she ran as fast as she could to her, and wrapped her arms around her mother's legs, loving the reunion.

As I walked on to my apartment, I began to wonder about times in my life when I have been distant from God, my Father.  Times when I wandered away for a bit - not intending to, but still drifted away.

          Maybe it was a time I was praying and got distracted by the phone - but never came back to my prayers.

         Then there was last Sunday when I was caught up in the sermon, only to find myself in the next moment listing out in my mind possible places we could go for lunch.

               
                  How does the song go?  Something like, "Lord, I am prone to wander, I can feel it."  

                                                                                    Yes.  That is so me.

          

There are a myriad of reasons why during those moments, days, weeks, and sometimes even months in my life, I wander away from the One I love.  Many of them are wonderful blessings in my life that I have allowed to overtake who I am and what I do...

                Family.          Books.          Friends.          Serving.          Relaxing.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with any of these things.  In fact, they are all great blessings for me.  But when they become the first thing I think about when I wake up, what I focus on all day, and what is the last thing to cross my mind as I drift into sleep, then there is something vitally out of balance.

When I become aware of how much I am trying to draw life from these areas of my life...on my own...apart from God...that is when I pause and find myself feeling weak, tired, empty.  I am like the little girl enjoying the thrill of the steps, until she realizes that something greater is missing from her life, at which point the steps lose their power, and all she can think about is reconnecting with her mother.

Are you in a place where you have shelved God?  Are you so distracted with life that you have unintentionally walked away from time with Jesus?  If you are completely honest with yourself, have you tried to find meaning and importance in the blessings God has given you, rather than in God Himself, who, alone, is the only One who can breathe new, refreshing, strengthening life into you?

My prayer for you (and me) today is that God will stir within you a longing to be close to Him again.  And as you find Him, whether it is in His Word, through prayer, from a friend who reflects His goodness, in the sunset, or wherever He meets you...may your heart rejoice in the reunion!  And may the words on your lips be, "The Lord is great!"

Psalm 40:16

But may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; may those who long for your saving help always say, “The Lord is great!”

 

The Gift of Story

Story. Such a small, yet powerful word. Stories have always been an important part of my life. I recall Granddaddy, who lived with us as I was growing up, tell me “jigs”, which were funny little stories told in poem form that seemed to have no worthwhile meaning. Oh, but they did have meaning: they built a bridge of laughter and love between Granddaddy and me, as he came up with endless stories that never grew dull. I can still hear him now, “Charlie Brown, went to town, riding a horse, leading a hound. Hound it barked, horse it jumped. Threw little Charlie Brown straddle of a stump.” Still makes me smile. Then there was Grandmother who only knew two fairy tales. One about “Little One Eye, Little Two Eye, and Little Three Eye”, and the other about “Flopsy, Mopsy and Cottontail”. I must have heard those stories told by her a million times; yet still, every night I spent the night in their part of the house, I longed to hear her tell them again.

There is something about story that draws us in, piques our interest, and invites us to places we have never been. God gave us incredible minds that can imagine the tales we are told in such a way that brings the stories alive in full technicolor. It's no wonder He gave us the Bible, a book of stories, more fanciful, amazing and intriguing than any other book around. It's a book about heroes and villains, kings and kingdoms, war and peace, bounty and loss, love and family, joy and sorrow, life and death. It's a book that invites us in and educates us of our beginnings, our brokenness, our purposes, and our futures. Unlike other stories, in a very real way, it breathes life into our aching souls, gives power to defeat spiritual foes, and explains to us who we are in this world.

                   Amazingly, it also is a book that is still being written.

                                                               God's story is not yet over.

No, God is not still adding pages to Scripture, as that is complete; but He is still writing the story of creation, fall, redemption and restoration on the pages of history. And we are very real characters, with very important purposes, in this incredible story.

For the longest time I simply went through my days as if my life had no bearing on anything at all. I am convinced now, though, that each and every one of us has been given a life of great value, worth and meaning. I am humbled by that. Lord, mold me and use me in ways so that I may fully realize my purpose for being. Use me for Your glory. Show me where to go, what to do, who to become, who to reach out to. Speak to me on the pages of my own story-board, so that I might follow Your will for my life, rather than my own self-centered desires. Show me, Lord, who You have created me to be all along. Illuminate to me parts of my life that have always shown patterns, gifts, longings and dreams which have served to point me in the direction You would have me go. Make me more aware of who I am in You, and who You are in me, as we travel down this path of life together. I am not alone in this, am I? Thank you, Lord, for always being there, leading me, guiding me, loving me. Even when I was at my worst, You never booted me from your story.