When I was 14 years old, I went on a backpacking trip with the church that my grandparents hosted. Our destination was Pecos Baldy in the Sante Fe National Forest in New Mexico. From my grandparents' cabin, you can look off of their porch, out over the tops of the trees and see Pecos Baldy, covered with a thin layer of snow most of the year.
Well, I set off on this backpacking trip. It was my grandmother, me and another lady and then about 10 guys. My grandparents taught us to pack smart. We had our tent and sleeping bag, some beef jerky, trail mix, water, a couple of extra pairs of socks, etc. But, they didn't allow us to overpack. I'll never forget the other lady that came brought a wash tub so she could wash her clothes and bathe (not important to this story, but it was quite a sight, seeing her poor husband carrying that washtub on his back!). She also wore her brand new "outdoorsman" designer hiking shorts. We were going through brush, and it was going to get very cold at night. She looked like she had just stepped out of a Banana Republic advertisement, but obviously, she wasn't a seasoned backpacker.
Anyway, we hiked the entire day--something like 8 miles through the mountains with our packs on our backs. It was rugged. I'll never forget how tired we were when we made camp that night. We had just enough time to build a fire and heat up rocks to stick in the bottom of our sleeping bags so we'd stay warm. Then came the rain. It was torrential rain. It's amazing that it didn't take our tent and all of us down the mountain, but somehow, we stayed grounded that evening.
The next morning, we were tired, hungry, sore, and still had the hardest climb ahead. I remember waking up and seeing the peak of Pecos Baldy. We were camped at the bottom of a cliff leading up to it. I remember thinking, "I've seen it, and I've really gone far enough. Let's go home." But, I had already come that far, so even though some stayed behind at camp, I began up the final trail with my brother, grandmother and grandfather.
As we started up, rain clouds moved in again. But we were determined to make it to the top. After negotiating all of the switchbacks, we finally made it to the top. I can't describe that view. It was absolutely breathtaking! I could see the top of every other mountain in the range. They looked like little stepping stones from our viewpoint. But what I remember most was the feeling of accomplishment. I had pushed, I had stuck it out with all of those boys, and I reached my goal. And what an amazing reward--the view and the tremendous sense of accomplishment! I praise God every time I think of that moment--for the splendor and beauty of His creation.
Since then, every time I've encountered something I didn't think I could handle, I've remembered that moment. Physically, I've never endured anything so tough (except maybe the 10 days I spent in Eastern Cuba). But what I learned was that if I perservered and didn't give up, anything was possible. It was a life lesson in just a few days' journey.
I believe that is a glimpse of the type of perserverence Paul writes about in Philippians 3:12-14:
Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
God has a job for me in His Kingdom. He has set forth many goals. The journey has already been long, but Paul challenges us to forget what is behind us--in other words, don't look back. He tells us to keep pushing forward--there are even better things to come! Our Pastor's series, "Fit for Life" reminded me of this journey to Pecos Baldy. It reminds me that every day, I'm on a Heavenly journey. I need to keep my eyes focused on the goal. I need to continue to press on, striving toward what is ahead. I need to make sure that I keep my eyes on the prize "...for which God has called me..." not the prizes of this world. There is much work to do. I'm just thankful that God allows me to be a part of His incredible Kingdom work!
Thank You Lord for teaching us so much through our everyday experiences. Thank You for not being only a God of the past, but a God of the present and the future. Thank You for the lessons You teach me daily. Thank You for being a God who doesn't constantly remind us of our failures, but reminds us of our successes. Thank You for Paul and his writings to the church of Philippi--the encouragement it brings to us as we press on towards Your goals. Sustain us, encourage us, and help us keep our focus on You.
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Growing
This week, I took my 11 year old to the shoe store. His foot had grown, and he needed some new shoes for Easter. I took him to the boys’ section where I ALWAYS take him, and they didn’t have his new size—a size 7. I was at a loss as to what to do. I searched and searched for the “pre-teen section” (just in case you go looking for it…no such thing exists for shoes). Then, I went back to the children’s section and had him try on the 6s again, just to make sure he couldn’t squeeze his foot in them one last year. Finally, I realized that the 7 was in Men’s shoes. I think that was the hardest walk I’ve taken yet as a parent—that walk up three aisles to the Men’s Shoe department. Ben was so excited about getting to wear men’s shoes. I wanted to put a brick on his head to keep him from growing up. No such luck.
It was a reminder to me that we are growing—each one of us every day. We can’t stop growth. We are living, breathing organisms. God designed us to grow. But, it also caused me to stop and think about HOW we grow.
Basically, in our spiritual lives, we are growing in one of two directions—either growing closer in relationship with God, or increasing separation between us and God. Even though our salvation is secure through our belief in Jesus as Lord, the Christian walk is so much more than that. It's kind of like a garden. If you weed it, and don't plant anything, weeds will grow back. If you weed it, plant flowers, but then don't maintain it by watering it, giving it sun and nurturing it, the weeds will grow back and overtake the flowers. We have to give that same love and care and nurturing to our relationship with God. We feed it and nurture it through prayer, living in and by the Word, relationship with believers, worship, service, fellowship with believers.... And it's absolutely worth it. There are so many joys and wonders and miracles to experience by being in growing relationship with the Father.
In my college days, I spent some time away from the church. Those were the darkest days of my life. It wasn’t because the church building was some magical place to be, but it was because the church was the place where I could be taught in the Truth, worship corporately with the people of God, be held accountable and encouraged by brothers and sisters, and experience the joy of seeing God at work. Because I wasn’t growing in my relationship with God and with God’s people, it was a very unhappy, dark time in my life.
Now, having spent the last decade+ of my life invested in my relationship with God, and thus invested in the church, I wouldn’t trade it for anything. I receive so much joy from being here. I am taught new things every day. My perspective is broadened. I get to hear the amazing stories of God working actively in people’s lives. I watched the DVD that Daryl put together “Becoming”, and I couldn’t stop smiling because of the joy I felt in being a part of this place—the diversity, the energy, the future. I look forward to the challenge of our mission as a church: Making Disciples.
We had over 3600 on campus Easter Sunday, and almost 140 at Brown Blvd. What a blessing—a milestone, really! Now our challenge is to greet and make welcome the visitors, disciple them—visitors and members--continue to reach our community and our world. Easter was a big day, but we are needed in our places EVERY week so we can continue our mission. We must continue to grow in our individual relationships with God and as a corporate body. It was a reminder to me that every morning, I need to seek Him fresh so that I can be a vital part of this Church and His Kingdom! What a joy it is to serve alongside my brothers and sisters each week in this place!
Lord, thank You for the church. Thank You for knowing our every need--especially the need to be surrounded daily by people of God and by Truth seekers. I thank You for our Pastor who seeks You and is a vessel for Your Word. I thank You for each of the faithful members here who encourage me in my walk week by week. I pray that You will continue to challenge us with new lives that need to be won to this Kingdom. Help us to continue to faithfully grow in You.
It was a reminder to me that we are growing—each one of us every day. We can’t stop growth. We are living, breathing organisms. God designed us to grow. But, it also caused me to stop and think about HOW we grow.
Basically, in our spiritual lives, we are growing in one of two directions—either growing closer in relationship with God, or increasing separation between us and God. Even though our salvation is secure through our belief in Jesus as Lord, the Christian walk is so much more than that. It's kind of like a garden. If you weed it, and don't plant anything, weeds will grow back. If you weed it, plant flowers, but then don't maintain it by watering it, giving it sun and nurturing it, the weeds will grow back and overtake the flowers. We have to give that same love and care and nurturing to our relationship with God. We feed it and nurture it through prayer, living in and by the Word, relationship with believers, worship, service, fellowship with believers.... And it's absolutely worth it. There are so many joys and wonders and miracles to experience by being in growing relationship with the Father.
In my college days, I spent some time away from the church. Those were the darkest days of my life. It wasn’t because the church building was some magical place to be, but it was because the church was the place where I could be taught in the Truth, worship corporately with the people of God, be held accountable and encouraged by brothers and sisters, and experience the joy of seeing God at work. Because I wasn’t growing in my relationship with God and with God’s people, it was a very unhappy, dark time in my life.
Now, having spent the last decade+ of my life invested in my relationship with God, and thus invested in the church, I wouldn’t trade it for anything. I receive so much joy from being here. I am taught new things every day. My perspective is broadened. I get to hear the amazing stories of God working actively in people’s lives. I watched the DVD that Daryl put together “Becoming”, and I couldn’t stop smiling because of the joy I felt in being a part of this place—the diversity, the energy, the future. I look forward to the challenge of our mission as a church: Making Disciples.
We had over 3600 on campus Easter Sunday, and almost 140 at Brown Blvd. What a blessing—a milestone, really! Now our challenge is to greet and make welcome the visitors, disciple them—visitors and members--continue to reach our community and our world. Easter was a big day, but we are needed in our places EVERY week so we can continue our mission. We must continue to grow in our individual relationships with God and as a corporate body. It was a reminder to me that every morning, I need to seek Him fresh so that I can be a vital part of this Church and His Kingdom! What a joy it is to serve alongside my brothers and sisters each week in this place!
Lord, thank You for the church. Thank You for knowing our every need--especially the need to be surrounded daily by people of God and by Truth seekers. I thank You for our Pastor who seeks You and is a vessel for Your Word. I thank You for each of the faithful members here who encourage me in my walk week by week. I pray that You will continue to challenge us with new lives that need to be won to this Kingdom. Help us to continue to faithfully grow in You.
Monday, March 10, 2008
Godliness: The Key to Good Self-Esteem?
I heard recently of a friend of mine whose son has been picked on at school. Some of the other boys were making fun of him. This has particularly burdened my friend because her son has some difficulties that he has had to overcome. His parents want him to be happy, feel loved and have good self-esteem. He has wonderful parents, and I know that he is one of the luckiest little boys alive to have all of the love that he has from his family. But that doesn't alleviate the pain of that mother and father.
Last year, my son was picked on by a kid at school. This kid wasn't physically threatening--he was just hurtful with the names he called my son. The difficulty for my son (who is about to get his black belt in karate) was that he knew he could break the bully's arm, but he also told me that there might be some time along the way that that same kid might need a friend. So, Ben refrained from decking the kid. Instead, we talked about it. I emailed the teacher explaining that there was a problem (not assessing blame--just pointing out that the boys were having a personality conflict with each other). The wonderful teacher sat down with both boys and kindly, but firmly laid down the law that their conflict needed to be resolved. I appreciated the teacher taking the time to sit down and talk it out with both boys and allow them to talk it out and resolve the conflict.
The fact is, kids (like adults) can be cruel, thoughtless and insensitive. I can remember when I was a teenager, I was standing right outside the Sanctuary of our church, and I called a boy with some learning problems a horrible name. I was making fun of him. My friends were laughing with me, when suddenly, they stopped and were staring over my shoulder. I turned around and discovered I was face to face with the boy's mother. I will NEVER forget that feeling. She didn't say a word. She didn't have to. Her eyes said it all. She was so disappointed in me, but even more, that was HER BELOVED SON that I was poking fun at. I've never forgotten that moment, and I'm grateful that God impressed upon me in that moment the impact of my cruel actions, and the love and pain of that devoted mother.
In discussing with another friend how to raise our children in this world with so many temptations and so many cruelties, he told me that the key to raising a child with good self-esteem is to raise a godly child. He equated good self-esteem with godliness. I've chewed on that thought for the past several weeks. I think he was absolutely right.
How do we equip our children to deal with bullies or mockers? We train them in Scripture, Truth, reason, how to grow in healthy relationship with God and with others. I'm not saying turn them into judgmental, pious Bible-beaters. I'm talking about teaching them God's way to react to situations. Heck...it's a path that I need to continue on daily.
I've got to daily equip myself in the Truth by staying in relationship with God, keeping close friends who keep me accountable, writing His Word on my heart, growing daily in my marriage, and just the daily humble reminder that God is God and I am not. Those are the things that count...the things that lead one to feel truly good about oneself.
My son was absolutely right about that bully needing a friend in the future. The boy that picked on him last year came to Vacation Bible School over the summer. He was a visitor who needed a friend, and Ben was able to befriend him and welcome him at church. The kid has been much nicer to Ben this year at school (and I'm sure Ben's attitude has changed, too). Why? Because he didn't handle the situation out of wreckless emotion and human reaction. He reasoned it out with the people that God put on this earth to help guide him--his parents and his teachers. And Ben is better because of it. He now has the knowledge that he can handle the next difficult situation that comes along--a huge boost to his self-esteem.
I guess it all boils down to this nugget found in Holy Scripture:
Physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. 1 Timothy 4:8
Lord, help us to train in Your ways. Help me to daily re-devote myself to Your teachings and to Your perfect path. Lord, help me remember my failures, that I might not repeat them. But encourage me in the promise that growing in You holds for my life and for my place in Your Kingdom. I am Thine, O Lord.
Last year, my son was picked on by a kid at school. This kid wasn't physically threatening--he was just hurtful with the names he called my son. The difficulty for my son (who is about to get his black belt in karate) was that he knew he could break the bully's arm, but he also told me that there might be some time along the way that that same kid might need a friend. So, Ben refrained from decking the kid. Instead, we talked about it. I emailed the teacher explaining that there was a problem (not assessing blame--just pointing out that the boys were having a personality conflict with each other). The wonderful teacher sat down with both boys and kindly, but firmly laid down the law that their conflict needed to be resolved. I appreciated the teacher taking the time to sit down and talk it out with both boys and allow them to talk it out and resolve the conflict.
The fact is, kids (like adults) can be cruel, thoughtless and insensitive. I can remember when I was a teenager, I was standing right outside the Sanctuary of our church, and I called a boy with some learning problems a horrible name. I was making fun of him. My friends were laughing with me, when suddenly, they stopped and were staring over my shoulder. I turned around and discovered I was face to face with the boy's mother. I will NEVER forget that feeling. She didn't say a word. She didn't have to. Her eyes said it all. She was so disappointed in me, but even more, that was HER BELOVED SON that I was poking fun at. I've never forgotten that moment, and I'm grateful that God impressed upon me in that moment the impact of my cruel actions, and the love and pain of that devoted mother.
In discussing with another friend how to raise our children in this world with so many temptations and so many cruelties, he told me that the key to raising a child with good self-esteem is to raise a godly child. He equated good self-esteem with godliness. I've chewed on that thought for the past several weeks. I think he was absolutely right.
How do we equip our children to deal with bullies or mockers? We train them in Scripture, Truth, reason, how to grow in healthy relationship with God and with others. I'm not saying turn them into judgmental, pious Bible-beaters. I'm talking about teaching them God's way to react to situations. Heck...it's a path that I need to continue on daily.
I've got to daily equip myself in the Truth by staying in relationship with God, keeping close friends who keep me accountable, writing His Word on my heart, growing daily in my marriage, and just the daily humble reminder that God is God and I am not. Those are the things that count...the things that lead one to feel truly good about oneself.
My son was absolutely right about that bully needing a friend in the future. The boy that picked on him last year came to Vacation Bible School over the summer. He was a visitor who needed a friend, and Ben was able to befriend him and welcome him at church. The kid has been much nicer to Ben this year at school (and I'm sure Ben's attitude has changed, too). Why? Because he didn't handle the situation out of wreckless emotion and human reaction. He reasoned it out with the people that God put on this earth to help guide him--his parents and his teachers. And Ben is better because of it. He now has the knowledge that he can handle the next difficult situation that comes along--a huge boost to his self-esteem.
I guess it all boils down to this nugget found in Holy Scripture:
Physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. 1 Timothy 4:8
Lord, help us to train in Your ways. Help me to daily re-devote myself to Your teachings and to Your perfect path. Lord, help me remember my failures, that I might not repeat them. But encourage me in the promise that growing in You holds for my life and for my place in Your Kingdom. I am Thine, O Lord.
How to handle a bully 101
This is something I am writing for posterity. Some day, I want my son to read this story about his father, and be proud of him like I am.
Last week, my husband had an awful week at work. He works in sales, and the boss (we'll call him Frank) gave my husband's prime territory to Frank's step-daughter. My husband has consistently been one of the top sales people, and one of the most loyal to Frank, so this was frustrating to him. He made a comment to Frank about it, and a temper-tantrum ensued. Frank yelled and screamed. At one point, Frank backed my husband against the wall, with his finger in my husband's face and was screaming so close to him that my husband could feel and smell Frank's breath. My husband felt physically threatened, but rather than yell back or push him away, he merely stepped away and walked out the door of the building. Frank chased after him, yelling things like, "Are you walking out on me? Are you quitting? Are you leaving?" My husband, wisely, refused to answer until he had calmed down enough to keep his cool. When he could respond, he said, "Frank, I will not be bullied by you. You won't allow me to complete a sentence, and I can't respond to you until you do."
That's what I want my son to hear. His father walked away from a fight. But he didn't allow the man to bully him either. He merely called him into accountability. He made Frank aware of his actions. From that point on, an adult discussion took place, and resolution was made. Neither party was completely satisfied, but that's typical of conflict. Nobody's going to be satisfied 100% of the time. But, my husband kept his cool and his job, and Frank made some concessions and later promised not to gut anymore of my husband's territories. There were no threats made, no names called, just a rational discussion between adults.
Even adults make mistakes and act irrationally. But my husband took the high road. He managed to get his point across without escalating the situation. I'm proud of him. I'm thankful for how God works daily in his life, and for the example he sets for our children. Love you, honey!
Last week, my husband had an awful week at work. He works in sales, and the boss (we'll call him Frank) gave my husband's prime territory to Frank's step-daughter. My husband has consistently been one of the top sales people, and one of the most loyal to Frank, so this was frustrating to him. He made a comment to Frank about it, and a temper-tantrum ensued. Frank yelled and screamed. At one point, Frank backed my husband against the wall, with his finger in my husband's face and was screaming so close to him that my husband could feel and smell Frank's breath. My husband felt physically threatened, but rather than yell back or push him away, he merely stepped away and walked out the door of the building. Frank chased after him, yelling things like, "Are you walking out on me? Are you quitting? Are you leaving?" My husband, wisely, refused to answer until he had calmed down enough to keep his cool. When he could respond, he said, "Frank, I will not be bullied by you. You won't allow me to complete a sentence, and I can't respond to you until you do."
That's what I want my son to hear. His father walked away from a fight. But he didn't allow the man to bully him either. He merely called him into accountability. He made Frank aware of his actions. From that point on, an adult discussion took place, and resolution was made. Neither party was completely satisfied, but that's typical of conflict. Nobody's going to be satisfied 100% of the time. But, my husband kept his cool and his job, and Frank made some concessions and later promised not to gut anymore of my husband's territories. There were no threats made, no names called, just a rational discussion between adults.
Even adults make mistakes and act irrationally. But my husband took the high road. He managed to get his point across without escalating the situation. I'm proud of him. I'm thankful for how God works daily in his life, and for the example he sets for our children. Love you, honey!
Monday, March 3, 2008
Hungry
Very few here in Arlington, TX have experienced true hunger. Have you ever been in a place where you truly didn't know where your next meal was coming from? Or have you ever had the worry of feeding your child? I haven't. Well, maybe I didn't know where the next meal was coming from, but I knew that I'd be back in the States in a few days and wouldn't really have to worry about it.
The worship song "Hungry" by Kathryn Scott is a hard song for me to sing. "Hungry, I come to You, for I know You satisfy." It's difficult because I don't know what physical hunger is. It's difficult because I know personally of people who experience it every day, and I'm helpless to change that.
The closest I've ever come to hunger was when I was in Eastern Cuba. The people there literally did not know where their next meal would come from. The man that picked us up from the airport told us of his daily routine. He wakes up in the morning, prays for food, and then goes about the town trying to find food for his family. I can't imagine having to search for my food each morning. Nor can I imagine the possibility of not finding it and coming home empty-handed.
I brought in my snacks with me to Cuba--trail mix, beef jerky, etc. During our journey, we picked up several Cuban ministers to take with us to our meeting point. They were hungry. We thought, "We'll buy them some food". We went to town after town with our money, ready to buy food. There was none to be had. I pulled out the trail mix and the beef jerky, and they ate and were so appreciative. As we went through the week, God provided for us. We ate beans, rice and plantain (not so many beans as plantain). We had boiled plantain, mashed plantain, fried plantain... By the end of the week, I was so tired of plantain. But I also noticed that I wasn't particularly hungry. God provided everything I needed. That plantain was like the manna from heaven. It satisfied. And God was glorified through every meal. His joy was on the faces of the people serving us. His hope was in their hearts. He was very present.
God's Gracious Dealings is the subtitle in my Bible under Deuteronomy 8. Deuteronomy 8 is a chapter that describes God the Provider. He talks about the suffering of the Israelites--the hunger, the wandering. Scripture tells us, "He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your fathers had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD". It continues saying that He allowed these things to happen so that He might humble them and provide for them, "Otherwise, you may say in your heart 'My power and the strength of my hand made me this wealth.'" He humbled them, and He humbles us today so that we might seek Him, remember His promises, His provision, His faithfulness. He humbles us so that our major source of nourishment, and the most sustaining source, will be from His Word.
"Hungry, I come to You, for I know You satisfy. I am empty, but I know Your love does not run dry. So I wait for You. Broken, I run to You, for Your arms are open wide; I am weary, but I know Your touch restores my life. So I wait for You. I'm falling on my knees, offering all of me. Jesus, You're all this heart is living for."
We may not know physical hunger, but each of us has places in our lives where we are spiritually starved. As I sing this song, I use it as a song of confession. I focus on the areas of my life where I am spiritually starved--where I need what only God can provide. Sometimes it may be a particular circumstance. Sometimes it may be a behavior or an attitude that I want to change about myself. The point is that hunger leads to humility. Humility leads to surrender. Surrender leads to change. Change leads to growth. Growth leads to the pure joy of being in relationship with the Father.
So I wait for You, Lord.
Dear Father, Thank you for your provision in our lives. Thank you for how you take care of our every need. You tell us in your scripture that we don't have to worry because You will provide. Help me to stay humble enough to seek Your provision and not go out on my own. Help me to be hungry for You and for Your Word. Thank you for the promise that Your love will not run dry, but will sustain us through the very darkest and brightest of times. We wait for You.
The worship song "Hungry" by Kathryn Scott is a hard song for me to sing. "Hungry, I come to You, for I know You satisfy." It's difficult because I don't know what physical hunger is. It's difficult because I know personally of people who experience it every day, and I'm helpless to change that.
The closest I've ever come to hunger was when I was in Eastern Cuba. The people there literally did not know where their next meal would come from. The man that picked us up from the airport told us of his daily routine. He wakes up in the morning, prays for food, and then goes about the town trying to find food for his family. I can't imagine having to search for my food each morning. Nor can I imagine the possibility of not finding it and coming home empty-handed.
I brought in my snacks with me to Cuba--trail mix, beef jerky, etc. During our journey, we picked up several Cuban ministers to take with us to our meeting point. They were hungry. We thought, "We'll buy them some food". We went to town after town with our money, ready to buy food. There was none to be had. I pulled out the trail mix and the beef jerky, and they ate and were so appreciative. As we went through the week, God provided for us. We ate beans, rice and plantain (not so many beans as plantain). We had boiled plantain, mashed plantain, fried plantain... By the end of the week, I was so tired of plantain. But I also noticed that I wasn't particularly hungry. God provided everything I needed. That plantain was like the manna from heaven. It satisfied. And God was glorified through every meal. His joy was on the faces of the people serving us. His hope was in their hearts. He was very present.
God's Gracious Dealings is the subtitle in my Bible under Deuteronomy 8. Deuteronomy 8 is a chapter that describes God the Provider. He talks about the suffering of the Israelites--the hunger, the wandering. Scripture tells us, "He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your fathers had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD". It continues saying that He allowed these things to happen so that He might humble them and provide for them, "Otherwise, you may say in your heart 'My power and the strength of my hand made me this wealth.'" He humbled them, and He humbles us today so that we might seek Him, remember His promises, His provision, His faithfulness. He humbles us so that our major source of nourishment, and the most sustaining source, will be from His Word.
"Hungry, I come to You, for I know You satisfy. I am empty, but I know Your love does not run dry. So I wait for You. Broken, I run to You, for Your arms are open wide; I am weary, but I know Your touch restores my life. So I wait for You. I'm falling on my knees, offering all of me. Jesus, You're all this heart is living for."
We may not know physical hunger, but each of us has places in our lives where we are spiritually starved. As I sing this song, I use it as a song of confession. I focus on the areas of my life where I am spiritually starved--where I need what only God can provide. Sometimes it may be a particular circumstance. Sometimes it may be a behavior or an attitude that I want to change about myself. The point is that hunger leads to humility. Humility leads to surrender. Surrender leads to change. Change leads to growth. Growth leads to the pure joy of being in relationship with the Father.
So I wait for You, Lord.
Dear Father, Thank you for your provision in our lives. Thank you for how you take care of our every need. You tell us in your scripture that we don't have to worry because You will provide. Help me to stay humble enough to seek Your provision and not go out on my own. Help me to be hungry for You and for Your Word. Thank you for the promise that Your love will not run dry, but will sustain us through the very darkest and brightest of times. We wait for You.
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On Top of Pecos Baldy
...what a memory!
