Bring It All

I had a dream the other night. Jesus was calling to us, all of humanity. 

Gently imploring, "Come to me. Bring me whatever you have, whatever you are. I love you exactly as you are so come."

I was in line with a great crowd of people who were moving toward Him. Some were holding a thimble full of their stuff, some were pushing a wheel barrow full and others were driving dump trucks!

It didn't matter to us or Him, what any of us had or the size of it, we were just joyfully relieved to be giving it all to Jesus, the good, bad and indifferent parts of us. He was willingly receiving it all and was pleased.

Then I woke up.

I'm thinking the point of my dream is this:

God isn't messed up or surprised by who you are, where you've come from or what you've done. He just wants you to come to Him. Lay everything down before Him and allow His love to fill you, bless you and change you. 

He's calling my name and yours. He's patiently waiting.

So what are we waiting for?

Quit looking at my stuff and I'll quit looking at yours. 

Let's just go - together.

Matthew 11:28-30  “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” (MSG)

Someone is Watching Me

While I was in the bathroom this morning, I realized  there were eyes watching me. They were half hidden under a towel draped over the edge of our Jacuzzi tub. I laughed when I spotted them because I knew where they came from and how they landed there.

Pastor Geoff and Bethany, the Children’s Ministry leaders at church,  gave us “Root Deer” for Christmas; a six pack of IBC root beer in glass bottles dressed up as adorable reindeer with red pom pom noses, plastic googly eyes and brown pipe cleaner antlers. As soon as I set eyes on them (pun intended) I commented to Mike, “Of course these would have to be from someone who spends all their time with kids.” I thought they were too cute to drink. Jonathan didn’t. 

 

Since I rarely buy soda, he was thrilled to discover them in the pantry but refused to drink a bottle until all the add-on parts were removed. I’ve found eyes, noses and antlers everywhere (sorry Bethany), under the Christmas tree, couch cushions, on the floor and patio table, in his room, laundry room and even in the garage. This morning a pair of eyes was in my bathroom, staring at me.

For all the reasons Jon gives me to feel nutty sometimes, he gives me plenty more to smile. As I did my morning routine in the mirror and saw those googly eyes looking at me from the rear view, a verse downloaded into my thoughts from 2 Chronicles 16:9, "For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him."

As a child, I was told God was always watching me, which was usually implied as a negative. He was waiting for me to do something wrong and keeping score; like Santa, making a list and checking it twice, keeping track of who’s naughty and nice. 

Over the years of reading scripture and growing in knowledge and love for God, I’ve come to understand that, like any loving parent, He watches me because I am His child and He cares about my good. Does He see when I mess up? Yes, of course, but God is my Redeemer and His ultimate intention is to show Himself strong on my behalf and bring me back to a place of wholeness, health and stability. His strength plays out in my life in many ways: comfort, peace, love, grace, mercy, safety, instruction, guidance and correction, but always in what is best for me.

I’ve come to realize that life without God’s direction and care is not much of a life at all. As my heart remains loyal to Him, I can rest in the awareness that the Almighty God, Creator of the Universe, has His eyes on me! I don’t know if they are googly eyes or not. I’m just glad He’s always looking out for my good.

Psalm 33:8 But the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love.

I Peter 3:12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer.

No Dogs Allowed

When our son and his wife arrived for a Christmas visit with their dog, Sammy, the unsuspecting canine was immediately greeted by our kitty with a hiss and claws, slap on the nose. Cola Cat has never shared her domain with anything but humans and like most felines, considers herself queen of her kingdom. 

She has free reign in the house to come, go and be wherever she pleases but right now, Cola is a very unhappy kitty indeed. Since the dog showed up, she has planted herself on top of the book shelf in the office for hours at a time, hardly coming down to eat. Her life has been put on hold, paralyzed by fear and uncertainty. 

Whenever Sammy comes into view Cola’s ears flatten and her eyes dilate to round dark discs as she glares at him with fear and contempt from her high perch. Her limited assessment of Sammy convinces her that he is big, dangerous and best kept at a distance. She doesn't see him as we do, as one of the mellowest and quietest dogs we have ever met. He watches Cola with tail wagging longing, like a kid who wants to make friends but isn't allowed in the neighborhood club house.

As I observe this, I consider all the times humans see God as someone threatening, someone to tolerate or even fear. We face loss, hurt or a hard place and suddenly God is blamed. Our safe and secure little spot in the world is disrupted and we are angry, disillusioned and afraid so we pull away while God waits with longing for us to trust more, to lean harder, to love deeper.

I doubt our sulking kitty will understand, before Sammy goes back home, that she missed a potential opportunity to make a new friend, but I am certain that I don't want to be like her; cowering, withdrawn and sullen, into the corners of my life whenever things don't go my way. If I define God’s character based on my circumstances, I will see Him as unjust and distant instead of someone who waits with a longing heart and loving arms for me to come close and find the comfort and friendship He alone can give.  

Jesus invites us to “Come to Me..for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and..find rest for your soul” (Matthew 11:28-29). Today, I release all fear, all disdain. I choose to come close to Him and discover all my soul longs for.

James 4:8  Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.

Thinking of You

Today I am thankful that the election madness is FINALLY over. Whether you are disappointed with the outcome or not, here's some good news--God is thinking about you and me today. Can you believe that? The Creator and King of the Universe thinks about you -- constantly!

The president of my country doesn't even know my name and once I have cast my vote, I am just a ballot in a sea of humanity. But God knows my name and every little detail about me. He even knows how many hairs I swept from my bathroom floor this morning and cares to calculate what is left on my head (Matthew 10:30).

 Psalm 139:17-18. “How precious are Your thoughts to me, O God!  How great is the sum of them!  If I should count them, they would be more in number than the sand"

 Isaiah 49:14 “But (replace your name here) Zion said, ‘The Lord has forsaken me, and my Lord has forgotten me.’  Can a woman forget her nursing child, and not have compassion on the son of her womb? Surely they may forget, yet I will not forget you.  See, I have inscribed you on the palms of my hands; your walls (your dwelling, your life) are continually before Me.”

It is not possible for God to forget about you. The nail scars in Jesus’ hands are the permanent inscription of your name in His heart and mind. He can no more stop thinking about you than I can stop thinking about my son Jonathan, who needs me so much (even when he thinks he doesn't :).

It would be good then for us to spend some time today thinking about Our Lord and Savior too. It could bring the peace of mind we so desperately need because "You [God] will keep him [me] in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You" Isaiah 26:3