God's Garden

I see so many beautiful, wonderful, accomplished and caring pictures of people my friends love here on FB! This reminds me of a beautiful garden. Each flower/person is unique. Each one is different in shape, scent, and color. Some may have thorns or prickly stems. some may have deep roots, others shallow. Some are considered weeds to others. Some act like they are better than the others. some are complicated, some are simple. Oh, such a wonderful variety!

The point is that I think the most beautiful gardens are the ones with all of us together, side by side, being the best of our unique selves and making room for others. I also think that this is the kind of garden that delights our Creator God.

I think we must remember that the pictures of people are not all that they are. Thier outward appearance is not the only thing that God sees. He sees our hearts (yes, all of our hearts.) His garden is one that is not only pleasing to the eye, but also to the heart. He cares for all and places us in the place we belong. It may be in the sunshine or the shadows.

Our only purpose is to please Him.

Holy Gardener, Good Father, Great Creator, You are our only purpose for being. You have given us so much and we have lost sight of who we are in Your eyes. Forgive us for our arrogance. Thank You for making each of us different and putting us side by side so our differences would shine. Teach us Lord to recognize You for who You are and ourselves and others for who You created them to be. We need You to pour out Your living water over us because it is only in You that we can be all we were meant to be.

Still in School

I loved school, but not because it was school. I really just liked the opportunity it provided for me to learn. There were books to read, people to observe, assignments to explore.

Because I was an underachiever, I was labeled a Daydreamer by my teachers. Today they may have labeled me ADD. Lessons would begin with me focused on what the teacher was presenting, but it wasn’t long before my mind had drifted down another road. Sometimes I would be distracted by the artwork on the walls or nature outside the window. Other times I would just wonder about things and I would let my imagination fly free.

You might ask, how could she love to learn if she didn’t pay attention to the teacher. I don’t have a certain answer. I only know that for me daydreaming is exploring, exploring is a way to discover, and discovery is learning.

When I graduated from high school and then college, the word commencement was frequently used. A commencement is simply a beginning. It seems funny to put the name of commencement on a time when we consider our learning finished and our life beginning. However, maybe life is learning. In fact I know it is. How do I know? Because I am still in school!
I learn every day. My mind and my heart is open to wander about the classroom of my life. In this every day, now vacation or weekend classroom, I am taught from books, people, and experiences.

It is in this most marvelous, living classroom that I not only learn about the world and people, but mostly about God, my Loving Creator. I could have gone on and on with the names by which I know Him, the names I have learned He is called and fits very well.

I will never stop being a student or should I say, disciple, of God the Father, Jesus the Christ or the Holy Spirit. They are my instructors. My learning will go on throughout eternity and I will never tire of learning more about Him. I do love learning!

There are many books I can read about the amazing person of God. Those written my men (and women) who speak only from their own experience may come close to the truth of who He is, but there are also many who far from the truth. The only book worthy of using as a study guide to God is the bible. You may argue that it was written by men, but the bible, alone stands as a true testament that it is God-spoken.

People can also be inspiring as well as disappointing in their example of being God-like. I include myself, because at times I can be either. Still, there are glimpses into the face of the holy Supreme Being through the unselfish powerful love acts that we witness. We are touched deeply and are called to change.

Experiencing God’s presence in the everyday events or the extraordinary events in my life is a huge teaching opportunity. Like the old saying goes, “Experience is the best teacher.” These lessons require God-focused glasses. God’s presence surrounds me, and I must alert to His revelation of Himself. It is a surprise and a delight to discover something new every day!

I have now been learning for 23333 days. I expect to keep learning for an eternity! I am a student, disciple, learner, apprentice, scholar, and follower. I am not an expert, but by now I am no longer a baby. I am loving this life school to which I belong. I love to learn!

Inexhaustible God and Father, You are awesome and amazing! I search for you in all my days. You teach me marvelous things and take my hand as I explore Your beautiful creation. I am so sorry for the time I fail to thank you for your presence in my life. Forgive me! I thank you now for being my teacher and guide. Thank You for making our world so deep, so wide and so high that I can never come to its end! Teach me more, Lord! And please bless all the teachers I know who strive to be like You. Amen.

A Penny Saved

My younger brother is a numismatist. He has collected coins ever since he was a young boy. Mike shared his knowledge of coins and collecting with anyone who would listen. I listened, a little.

I never became a big enthusiast, but I did save some coins,I thought might be valuable someday. Today I was looking through the small box of coins I had, wondering if any were worth much. I checked each one for dates and mint marks and the wear that would lessen the value. It wasn't long before my mind wandered as I picked up coin after coin.

I began to think of all the people who had touched those coins. Where had these pennies traveled and how many lives were attached to one little cent before reaching my little box? Had they been found in a purse or dropped into a car seat or sofa? Were they lost from a hole in a pocket and left to be found on the sidewalk or street? Had they had a simple path to my small collection by being handed to a clerk and give out in change again and again? To me it mattered little about the coin and its travels. I thought of the people.

The little boy or girl who held tightly to the penny while choosing a piece of candy from the counter must have thought it was gold. The Mom who dug deep into her purse for those few cents may have needed them for milk or bread. The Indian head nickle may have been a treasure saved for a special gift. Those who held my coins are connected to me in a simple way. We both found value in a small disk of metal.

We hold money in different ways. Some of us cling to it, and some of us let it go much too easily. We help others, or we selfishly use it for our pleasure. Money is given in exchange for our work. Each hour of our life is worth the wage set by our employer. Money is an exchange for our lives. It is this that gives money value to God.

Our tithe is a giving of our lives that we exchanged for wages. It is a holy sacrifice.

Father God, Creator of each life touched by my coins, You are holy. you give life and take it away! You are a Generous Giver of life. Thank You for allowing me to return to You so little of what You deserve! Forgive me for my selfish ways. Teach me to see You and Your human creation as holy and more valuable than material things. I want to hold my life out to You with open hands.

Judgement Seat

I had a day dream the other day. I guess I should tell you that my day dreams resemble night time dreams in that I imagine a story more than just letting my mind wander from this to that, like a butterfly flying from flower to flower.

This dream occurred after church last Sunday. I attended the marriage class and one of the points made was that our spouses are a gift from God to us. It made me think about my own receiving and enjoying the gift of Patrick in my life. That is where my dream took flight.

In my dream I stood before the Judgement Seat in heaven. God the Father sat on His throne, and I stood opposite Jesus facing the Father. Though it was a judicial setting, it also had the feel of a very intimate conversation. The Father and Jesus looked at me, smiled, and asked if I got the gifts they had sent me. I told them that I had received their gifts of Salvation and the Holy Spirit. They looked at one another and smiled knowingly and with a pure and holy joy. It made me happy knowing I had pleased them.

They then asked me about the other gifts they had chosen specifically for me. I was confused. They, looked again at one another with quizzical looks as if they wondered why I hadn't recognized their personal love gifts for me. It was Jesus who spoke directly to me saying, "Did you enjoy your husband, children, family and friends fully as gifts from Me?" I stood silent knowing that I often enjoyed my family and my friends, but never saw them as gifts from My Father and My Savior. I hung my head.

My dream ended there but the lesson, I hope, will remain with me. God has chosen specific people to be in my life. From the day I was conceived to my dying day, I am presented with gifts of people to share my life. These every day gifts can become ordinary if I forget that they are from God's hand.

Father and Dear Jesus, You are the most generous of givers! You bless me when I do not deserve Your blessings. Thank You for the gift of my husband, children , grandchildren, children through love, sisters, brothers, friends, neighbors. The list goes on and on. I feel as if I am a Christmas tree piled high with gifts, and it is all because of You! I am sorry that I sometimes don't recognize the gifts You give. I even wish You had given me gifts that were different sometimes. But, I remember Your smiles when I told You how much I loved Your gifts of Salvation and the Holy Spirit. I want to make You smile more! Remind me every day to see Your presence in the presents You give! Thank You!

I'm Watching

What do people watchers watch when watching people?

I've joined a new group study with about 40 women. Last week was our first meeting together. I had every intention of joining in discussions, writing notes and doing all the things "good" participants do. Instead I felt very overwhelmed and lost to the point of tears. It had been a long hard day and I wasn't feeling well. All of that played a part in my trying to swim but sinking like a rock.

Yesterday was the second class. I again went into the meeting intending to be a "good" participant. Soon into the meeting I stepped back in my mind and began to watch. I did not write down note feverishly worried I would miss something important. I did not look for the opening in conversations so that I could jump in to tell my story. I just watched. I watched the teacher, those at my table, and others around the room. I was a people watcher last night.

I watched expressions and body language. I watched for interactions between ladies. I learned much and even heard more and joined in to the discussions!

I guess what I am seeing as the truth for me is that when I put people first I find my time is well spent. I may not get all the answers down. I may not have all the blanks filled. What I take away is a connection. I take away a sense of what God sees when I people watch.

One other truth I am aware of today is that God is watching me! He watches. He sees when I need Him. He is ready to give a word or a helping hand. What a lovely thought! He is watching me watch the people He loves!

God, Seer of all, All-knowing Lord, teach me to see when others need me. Prepare me to give generously to others in need! Thank You for showing me the value of taking my eyes off of myself! Let me be like You!

People Thoughts

People are everywhere. Unless you are a hermit you will meet people and in some way and you will relate to them. Come to think of it, even a hermit will be influenced by the people of the world. He may not see or communicate directly with them, but he will be touched by the events happening in the world because we affect our environment and it has no boundaries.

Keeping in our own space and respecting others property and space helps us to get along in the world of relationships. However, this rule must be broken if we are to ever have an intimate and deep relationship with someone. I think we can only have a few of those types of relationships though. too much of a good thing will turn sour.

Here are some random or not so random thoughts about this:
* Our first and most intimate relationship is with God.
* To have an intimate relationship we must become vulnerable.
* We should never be forced or intimidated into allowing someone into our space.
* When we violate anothers' space we must be willing to suffer the consequences.
* Intimate relationships must be agreed on by both parties.

I am certain my thoughts are not the entire wisdom of this topic. They are simply a few thoughts. My point is that even though I may want a deeper exchange with another person, they may not be willing. In this light I must remain in my space and let them remain in theirs.

In that regard it is a blessing of God that we find a mate or a best friend. God, Himself, shows us how in Jesus Christ. He became vulnerable. He reached out and when we allow Him in, He accepts the invitation. He will not cross the line if we say "No. "

It is not easy to let God or another person invade our space, but the experience is far more than we can comprehend totally! So, with God, a mate or a friend let us be open, tread lightly and enjoy the blessing.

Colors

Do you have a favorite color? Maybe you choose colors depending on your mood like I do. There are days that are bright and need a yellow top for my outfit, but then other days need my blue or green tops to match my serene or "Blue" mood. I guess it says alot about me that I don't wear black. Never seem to get that depressed!

I love colors! They speak to me about spiritual things, emotions and beauty. Without color my life would be dull. So, today I thank God for letting so many colors and shades and tints be available for me to see, wear, and enjoy.

I don't just mean the colors of the rainbow either. I delight in the various shades of skin colors. I am sometimes awed to see the spectrum of color in which we humans blossom. We are certainly a beautiful garden of color! Reds, yellows, whites, browns, golds, tans, and blacks and everything in between. Our skin, hair and eyes are a mini garden of color that blend with others who grow near us.

Even our personalities shine through with color images. We may be the power red, or the cheery yellow, or the melencholy blues or shrinking violets. All in all God must love color too.

There is beauty in us and around us. I want to allow the Creator of my colors to shine through all I am and do! So, do you have some favorite colors too?