Proverbs 22

Proverbs 22:9 "Whoever has a bountiful eye will be blessed, for he shares his bread with the poor."

I grew up in a family of seven children. Dad worked hard in the steel mill, and he provided for us although we were not wealthy. There were times, however, that the mill would go on strike and we were barely scraping by. It never stopped my Mom and Dad from inviting a surprise guest to join us for meals. I am not proud of the fact that silently I hoped the guests would decline the invitation so we could have our share. I was angry when they accepted.

My selfishness centered in my myopic vision. I saw the less than abundant table for so many of us, and saw not enough for me. I was not concerned for my brothers and sisters, though I should have been. I was totally selfish and felt horrible that I was so.

It took many years for me to get my vision corrected. It happened slowly over time. I began to be thankful for what I did have instead of seeing how little I had. Thanksgiving was my corrective lens that gave me a clearer picture of my blessings. I received blessings so that I could bless others! Sharing is a greater blessing besides!

I can be honest in saying that I still sometimes hold back out of selfish fear that I won't have what I need, or is it want? I have learned that I am changing and my failures can be forgiven. I only need to keep my thanksgiving lenses on everyday and all day to make a difference in my blessings.

Father, You are generous and giving even when it hurts. You are wise to command that we give. My life has not always seen or followed Your wisdom. Forgive me! Thank You for blessing me with the tools to learn this lesson. Thank You for teaching me to give thanks for the big and small, for the easy and for the very difficult things that come into my life. It is thanksgiving to You that helps me trust You. Keep working on my heart, o Lord. Remind me to be thankful especially when I don't feel grateful.

Changing Course

Dead ends are frustrating, discouraging, and maddening! After traveling down a road that seems promising, it is never a welcome sight to find it is a dead end. This is especially true when hopes have grown and dreams dwelt safely in our hearts for a long time.

A dead end means we must turn back and pick up all the footprints we thought we had left behind. On the way we search for another route so we can again move toward our goal. Often we simply let our thoughts travel around and around wondering how we got off track, or if our journey is really meant to reach the goal that now seems so far away. We feel lost. Our steps are sluggish, so different when we boldly started off down this road.

Hope and vision are the compass that we must follow. The question I must ask is where is the hope but in our God who has promised to complete the good work HE has begun? Where is the vision except the vision of His plans that HE has? Those good plans that do not harm? The frustration and discouragement of having to turn around and change course can turn into an adventure, or a time of growth through the challenge. It is a worthy effort to follow our hearts all the way to HIM who not only waits for us but also walks along side of us!

Present Sovereign God, You are with us always. You never leave us to find our way alone. Thank You! Forgive us for allowing the obstacles to shadow Your light along the path. Open our eyes to see YOUR vision and YOUR plan. Make our feet like hind's feet to travel with lightened steps, knowing You are waiting and walking with us all the way! You are Good!

Fading Dreams

I am a dreamer. My dreams are vivid and complicated. I love my dreams even if they are intense, or scary. God visits my dreams in subtle ways. The visions I see in my dreams bring to mind scriptures and that is how God speaks to me in my dreams. I seldom lose my dreams. The pictures usually remain sharp in my mind, but there are those few times when they are like vapor, dissolving in air before I can grasp their fullness. Losing my dream makes me feel frustrated. It is those lost dreams I hope I can revisit when I lay down again. They rarely come back though, and knowing that makes me sad. My heart misses the dream and longs for the message I sense was lost.

I am also a day dreamer. My mind wanders off with hope and faith by my side. I love my day dreams also. They do not always stick around for long, but they are always something to enjoy, hope for, and even talk over with my Heavenly Father. When day dreams fade I feel a deeper sense of loss. Maybe it is because my hope is greater that these dreams could be real. Whatever the reason, the fading of dreams will always draw me closer to my Father who has placed the desires and dreams in my heart.

Father, You are the author of my dreams. You are my hope. I love the hymn that says "Be Thou my vision....." I pray that today. I need You to be my vision, my hope, and my dreams.

Vision of Provision

Can you see all the robins in this picture? This is just a small part of the flock of robins that descended upon our back yard last Friday at twilight.

I had gone out to ask Patrick something and before I opened the back door I saw all the birds scattered over the yard. I quietly slipped out the door to get a better look. Patrick and I whispered to one another what an amazing sight this was!

We estimate that there were about 75 or more birds enjoying some kind of feast in our presence. The sweet rustling of leaves as they bobbed their heads to find seed or small insects became mood music for our added enjoyment.

We watched for a long time and later I was pleased to recall the scripture in Matthew 6:26, "Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your Heavenly Father feeds them." (ESV)

I sensed that God, Himself, invited the birds to our back yard. It was as if He called to them saying, "Look! Here is a feast I am providing for you! Come, eat and enjoy!" As He provided for those beautiful creatures, He offered a vision to us of his abundant and timely provision. Are we listening to His call? Are we accepting His invitation? Are we going where He says to go?

Father, you have said that I am not to be anxious about my life because You take care of the birds and the flowers and I am more valuable then they. You showed me this vision of provision for a reason. You provide for me in all ways. You will always be enough for me! Thank You for the vision! May I never forget!