Words have power. Written words provide proof. You can read them, and reread them whenever you want. They can speak life to someone who needs encouragement. They can speak death to someone who is being deceived. The choice lies within you. How is it that you want people to remember you? Encourager...that is the gift that God has laid on my heart. To use my written, spoken, and/or sung words to lift people up. To be one link in their road to healing, restoration, joy. I have been without those things, and I claim them to be mine again. If you want me to seek God on a prayer for a specific situation...that is why I am here. I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to pray God's Word of Life over you.

Wednesday, October 8, 2014

When Weeds Become Beautiful



She walks in the door. A sweet smile spread across her face. Hands behind her back. The 'surprise' possibilities truly are endless. (I am hopeful that I can rule out creepy crawley... anything. I have made it clear those are 'Daddy-type' surprises.)   ;-)

I wait for her to approach. No words are spoken. Just a small, dirt covered hand is thrust into my face. Weeds. She is this happy and excited about...weeds? They are in my face and I HAVE to have the right reaction. There is only one that she is looking for. Any other will send her away. Head drooping. Feet dragging. Disappointed. I hate to disappoint such a precious and fragile heart.

At this moment I have to see the beauty in weeds. I admit, I don't normally. But this day. Which has/needs no occasion. I have to find beauty in ordinary. I feel my mouth forming into a smile. A genuine smile. It is caused by the joy that comes when my kids bring me gifts of all most kinds. (The tadpoles, bugs, toads and such have not been my favorites. I still have a version joy...just from a distance.) Wait, when did I learn to love weeds?

It all happened without my permission. It happened subconsciously when I realized that they were thinking of me. These kids of mine that love to explore and imagine...think of me. They stop sword fighting to include me. They might not always. They are growing despite the brick that I threaten to put on their heads. They come back from their make-believe-land far far away because they found a worthy gift. How dare I deem it otherwise.




In this moment I am reminded of how God truly wants to hear from us. He does not just tolerate us! (As we sometimes barely do with each other.) He, instead, absolutely adores us. Just as, and even MORE SO, I do these 'adventurous explorers' that I once carried within me.)

We sometimes wait until something is impossible for us, to bring it before God. But He really really WANTS to be included in our ordinary. Some days He will choose us to do extraordinary. But on the days He doesn't...He still longs to hear all about all the highs and lows.

In our heads, these prayers/conversations with God will seem like weeds. Nothing special. Just a nuisance. But to HIM...His baby girl is talking. His daughter is including Him in her story. He will listen. He will hear. He will respond. He knows us more intimately than anyone ever could. He sees the secret. He sees the mistakes. He sees the failures. And yet, He still chooses US! He still longs to be engaged in conversation with us.

I don't think we always remember that our heart is heard in Heaven. Let that sink in. Soak in it today. You are heard by the God of the universe. When you talk. When you cry out. When you scream. When you are silent. He always hears you. Talking to Him is so that you don't  forget about Him. He could never forget you.

Faith like a child is real. It is untainted by disappointment. It does not keep record of failure. It does not assume the worst. We can all learn from a child we know. Follow them around for a day. See this world as a masterpiece. See ordinary things to be beautiful. And talk to God as often as you can. With excitement and passion. He created you to glorify Him. Never forget that.

John 8: I am not possessed by a demon,” said Jesus, but I honor my Father and you dishonor me. 50 I am not seeking glory for myself; but there is one who seeks it, and he is the judge. 51 Very truly I tell you, whoever obeys my word will never see death.”
52 At this they exclaimed, “Now we know that you are demon-possessed! Abraham died and so did the prophets, yet you say that whoever obeys your word will never taste death. 53 Are you greater than our father Abraham? He died, and so did the prophets. Who do you think you are?”
54 Jesus replied, If I glorify myself, my glory means nothing. My Father, whom you claim as your God, is the one who glorifies me. 55 Though you do not know him, I know him. If I said I did not, I would be a liar like you, but I do know him and obey his word. 56 Your father Abraham rejoiced at the thought of seeing my day; he saw it and was glad.”
57 “You are not yet fifty years old,” they said to him, “and you have seen Abraham!”
58 Very truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, before Abraham was born, I am!” 

Wait...did you catch it? *Vanesa picks jaw up from floor* Reread verse 54. 
Jesus. Even JESUS did not desire glory for Himself. Of ALL the people that have ever lived...He was the only one who was absolutely without fault. He had every opportunity/temptation and yet he simply did.not.sin. He could have demanded glory, being both the Father and the Son. But since He took on the form of fully man while He walked this earth...He knew that all glory had to come through God. 
Wow. For those days that I tried to claim glory for my accomplishments...I am humbled. For the days that I desired glory...I stand corrected. It is HE that I desire to lift up higher than me. Now I pray that I never choose to forget it.