Love Like a Hurricane

“He is jealous for me,
Love's like a hurricane, I am a tree,
Bending beneath the weight of His wind and mercy.
When all of a sudden,
I am unaware of these afflictions eclipsed by glory,
And I realize just how beautiful You are,
And how great Your affections are for me.”

--“How He Loves”  by David Crowder Band

“The Lord does whatever pleases him,

    in the heavens and on the earth,
    in the seas and all their depths.

He makes clouds rise from the ends of the earth;

    he sends lightning with the rain
    and brings out the wind from his storehouses.” – Psalm 135:5-7

In the verses above, the psalmist affirms that God controls all of nature. When I read those words, I can clearly imagine God’s awesome power manifested as one of the thunderous storms with which I am all too familiar. But what about His love? Is it really, as the song says, like a hurricane? Last night I thought about all this as I watched towering trees behind my house bend while tropical storm Gordon’s winds whipped through their branches. In the blustery onslaught, the trees had two options: they could break or they could bend. Those are the same choices I have when confronted by God’s overwhelming power and love. I can stubbornly try to stand tall as life’s hurricane winds blow against me and wind up battered and bruised, spiritually if nothing else. Or I can bend beneath God’s will, knowing His love is the force that motivates all of His actions, even the creation of storms. Once I humbly surrender and focus on God’s unfailing love, my trials disappear, “eclipsed by glory” and the knowledge of “how great [His] affections are for me.”

Remedial Classes

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” -James 1:2-4

Growing up, I used to read the dictionary for fun. Besides that tome, I read stacks of books each week. I loved learning and I loved school and I excelled at it. But in my spiritual life, I sometimes feel I find myself in the remedial class going over lessons again and again. Even after I think I’ve mastered them, God reveals how much more I have to learn. One of those lessons is perseverance and at times this year, the challenges designed to produce it within me have stretched my faith muscles beyond what I would’ve said I could endure.

Still, I’ve been here many times before. As I run these spiritual marathons, the Enemy of my soul throws every obstacle at me he can. Fatigue. Depression. Worry. Discouragement. Conflict. His hurdles may cause me to stumble as I continue to run the course, and they may even cause me to fall. But they will not force me to quit. No matter how much instruction I continue to need in order to persevere, I will listen. I will learn. I will grow. And one day I will reach the finish line. My prayer is that I then hear the words every follower of Jesus longs for Him to speak to them: “Well done, good and faithful servant.” (Matt. 25:23)

WWDS? (What Would Dad Say?)

“Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.” -Ephesians 6:4

When I was growing up, Daddy had some interesting sayings. If one of us was a little too sassy or bull-headed, he responded, “If you’re feeling froggy, go ahead and jump.” When he approved of something we did, he’d say, “You done good, kid.”  His response to a pout was: “You can kiss that mad spot and get glad.” And when he had a handful of bad cards during a rummy game, he’d laugh and exclaim, “Trash! Trash, and more trash!” But there’s one expression from his repertoire I’ve discovered I unwittingly repeat often: “That is correct information.”

This revelation came when my seven-year-old niece said it to me one day. I asked her, “Where did you hear that?” She responded, “You. You say it all the time.” When I finished laughing at myself, I explained to her that my dad used to say it to us when we were kids and had asked for confirmation of something. But more significant than all of Dad’s humorous expressions are the words he said most often : “I love you.” 

He freely gave those words every time we talked and I knew he meant them. Often along with them he would offer a word of encouragement or affirmation and sometimes a Bible verse. But always, always, he told me he loved me and was proud of me. I am grateful to have had such a kind and generous and wise father whose unfailing love pointed me to my heavenly Father and established a firm foundation for my life.

A Promise is a Promise

“. . . I will never leave you nor forsake you” –Hebrews 13:5

Mom and Dad believed strongly in the importance of keeping your word, and the lessons they taught me and my sister started with deliberate decision-making. When one of us would ask them permission for something or ask them to do something for us, if they couldn’t 100% commit at the time we asked, they would tell us “maybe.” They never used the word as a cop-out, but as a placeholder to give them time to ponder and perhaps gather information about the people involved or the activity or the resources needed to make our wish come true. It was an important lesson for me about avoiding hasty decisions. 

Along with the “maybe,” my parents reinforced the idea that promises are sacred and should always be kept unless there is a legitimate reason to break them. The inspiration for this value came from God Himself who clearly takes our words seriously. In fact, early in my life they taught me the words of Ecclesiastes 5:4-5: “When you make a vow to God, do not delay to fulfill it. He has no pleasure in fools; fulfill your vow. It is better not to make a vow than to make one and not fulfill it.” Because of my parents’ solid instruction, I learned that God is a God of His word. It is a truth that sustains me even when my feelings or circumstances try to tell me something different. So, when life’s challenges overwhelm me, I turn to God’s word and find a promise to reassure me. This week, God reminded me that no matter what, He will never leave me nor forsake me. No matter how awful my attitude. No matter how weak my faith. No matter how many mistakes I make or sins I commit. He is still faithful because He honors His promises.

In the Midst

“You prepare a table for me in the midst of my enemies…” -Psalm 23:5

 Last week I was hounded by fear and anxiety, and at one point, I found myself absolutely crippled by them. I was battling yet another computer issue (do they ever end?) and fighting fear, because at this moment, I’m not quite sure what my future holds. And uncertainty brings all sorts of unwanted chaos into my orderly life. While God has promised to provide for me, and has been exceedingly faithful to His promises, I still sometimes find myself overwhelmed with worry.

So while I did deep breathing exercises in an effort to ward off a panic attack, I thought about Psalm 23. Specifically, I thought about verse five. Maybe it was because of a recent trip to the zoo, but I pictured David sitting there with a lion on one side and a bear on the other, and of course, crazed King Saul behind him, casting murderous looks his way. Then I pictured me sitting in David’s seat and I could feel the hot breath of the lion at my right hand. The bear left and was replaced by a lovely jaguar who eyed me like I was his midafternoon snack. The imaginary animals helped me give a body to the amorphous enemies plaguing me, and I focused on David’s words. While he was hunted by Saul and plenty of other powerful men, harassed by wild animals, and threatened by evil supernatural powers, he realized that even in the midst of this, God was present.

In meditating on David’s experience, I learned not only is God present, He is unperturbed by what my enemies are doing. So much so, that in the midst of  trials, challenges, and pain, He decides to set a banquet table of grace just for me (and you). Anxiety and fear? Trade those in for peace. Sadness? Exchange it for joy. Anger? Swap it for gentleness and patience. Frustration? Replace it with contentment. So today, while nothing has changed in my circumstances, my attitude is different. I am amazed anew that I can sit at God’s table and enjoy His gifts while my enemies hover just over my shoulder, licking their lips and wishing in vain that they could devour me.

Unwanted Anniversaries Still Bring Blessings

My mom’s dad passed away when I was only three. Each March Mom became very anxious and sad as the anniversary of his death approached. When I was a child, her response hurt my heart deeply, but as I grew older I became frustrated that she couldn’t “move on.” In my naiveté, I  imagined she had complete control over her emotions and could prevent herself from getting so upset as she honored Papa Jim’s memory. Time and life are good teachers, though, and I now understand Mom’s reaction much better. While I choose not to succumb to the grief hers and Daddy’s deaths have caused me, I now know how challenging it is to control your response to the unwanted anniversaries of life. Even if I actively try to focus on other things, each August 15 and each April 19 are etched into my heart and soul as the days my parents left this earth. But I try to approach the days with the grace and faith that are part of my parents’ legacy. I offer gratitude for their lives and recall the blessings they imparted into mine.

Two of those blessings are a poem and an allegorical essay Daddy wrote later in his life; the writings reflect his faith journey and his perspective. This year marks the fifth year of his homegoing, and I’d like to honor him and give you a glimpse of his heart by publishing his work “Today I Climbed a Mountain.” The notes in italics are his as well.

Today I climbed a mountain. A mountain all covered with the glory of Autumn, the vibrant reds, the sunshine yellows, the royal purples and even the common browns. The pines’ green mantle reminding me there is Life even among the dead and dying. My path started out well-defined through the trees. Here a proud old oak, its bark scarred with the initials of young lovers long ago, there a towering hickory split in two by a long-forgotten storm, half-dead, half-alive, hanging on to life for all it’s worth. I walked through the forest, my pathway becoming dimmer as the trees gave way to underbrush, little more than shrubs, then weeds. At last I came to my goal, a Rock Wall. I could see a pathway going left where others had chosen to go around it. Some had tried to dig under it. But I Had to climb it.

As I started my ascent, I searched for a handhold here, a foothold there, taking whatever I could find. Then I noticed a trail even here. A trail of sweat, of tears, and as I looked closer—blood. I saw a bush offering its support, but saw in time its shallow roots, which would not have stood the test. Ever onward I climbed, following the blood, using narrow ledges to rest. Upward slowly, a handhold, a foothold, a slip here and there, I dare not quit. I gained the top, surveyed the hills and valleys, covered in the majesty of Mother Earth and gave a sigh as I sat down to rest. I looked up and saw an eagle soaring on the winds. He called to me to join him, but I could not; for I am a mere mortal.

The original ends here, but I feel compelled to add this to it:

Whichever path you choose to conquer your Wall,

I will not criticize or chastise you. I will welcome you with open arms, offer you the strong right arm of friendship, and a shoulder to lean on. I will offer a cup of Water from the Everlasting Well, and have ready the Balm of Gilead to bind up your wounds and soothe your hurts. Then, we can watch the eagle together.

Selah

Green is the New Blue, Sort Of

“. . . a sweet friendship refreshes the soul.” -Prov. 27:9 (The Message)

As long as I can remember blue has been my favorite color. There was once in my childhood when I had an internal philosophical debate as to the merits of red vs. blue but the former seemed to have too many negative associations. I still enjoy wearing red often, but for me, blue’s soothing qualities ultimately won out as the color to which I constantly gravitate. This spring, though, something has changed. And I have absolutely fallen in love with green. Kelly green, forest green, grass green. I should’ve seen it coming when a few years ago I painted my toenails the shade of a Granny Smith apple. Now, don’t mistake me. Blue and I will always be tight. We’ve been together far too long now to let green come between us. But green has carved out a little place in my heart and is now my second favorite color.

Maybe it’s in part because this spring, green seems an especially apt motif for me: the color and the season have long been symbolic of renewal and rebirth. New beginnings. And that’s the season I find myself in. Earlier this month I went to the mountains of Georgia on a girlfriend getaway with some cherished friends and was dazzled by the seeming rainbow of greens as we traveled. We took the trip right after Easter, the ultimate season of rebirth, and we spent quite a bit of time enjoying God’s creation. The time spent in nature was rejuvenating, and it helped me focus on God’s gifts, not the least of which are my precious friends who constantly encourage, support, and love me unconditionally. Pastor Charles “Chuck” Swindoll has been quoted as saying, “I cannot even imagine where I would be today if not for a handful of friends who have given me a heart full of joy. Let’s face it, friends make life a lot more fun.” I couldn’t agree more: I am truly blessed to have such friends who bring great joy to my life!