Quiet Moments With God - Use a Lamp

Have you ever found yourself in absolute darkness, but had to keep moving anyway? Many years ago, when my children were young, a man from our church had promised to pick up the kids at the top of our driveway and take them to an evening Bible study.

I'd forgotten that night until this morning while I was reading a familiar passage from Psalm 119. Verse 105 says, "Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path."

The kids ride was supposed to arrive around 6:00 AM, but it was winter and the sun had set long before we started up the driveway. We lived in the forest so if not for the yard light half way up the drive it would have been deeply dark. However when we passed the light its illumination decreased. With each step beyond the light, the world got darker and darker, until it was so pitch black that I couldn't see my hand in front of my face. I kept a tight hold on the kids' hands and we inched forward, feeling our way with our feet.

The lack of light was disconcerting, and I realized I'd been foolish not to bring a lantern or a flashlight. It's that way in life too. It's always wise to carry the light of God's Word with us wherever we go. Without it finding our way or seeing the truth is so much harder than it needs to be . . . sometimes as difficult as it was to see my hand on that pitch dark night years ago.

God's Word is a gift. He offers it to help us find our way. We don't have to venture out without His light, but whether we do or not is our choice. I wonder why we sometimes prefer to feel our way through a dark world when the light of the Lord can guide our every step.


Grace and peace to you from God.

Bonnie

The Journey - Dear God

Lord, I sit here on my brand new deck sipping coffee and gazing at the amazing view you created and I'm reminded of a much younger me. I was lost and alone and you came to my rescue. 

All those years ago, Greg and I weren't living together, and we had an appointment with a judge who would decree we were no longer married. But you had another plan.

I was newly adopted into your family when I offered up a simple prayer. "Please restore my marriage,"  I prayed. "Create a Christian union between Greg and me, bless us with children and a Christian home. And, if it's all right with you, Lord, I'd love to live on land outside of town." 

God you fulfilled every request and more. I know it's not because I was deserving but because you love me and Greg, our children and our grandchildren. All those years ago you could see me sitting here today talking to you.

And now, here I am in this extraordinary place and I'm in awe at how you've given more than I ever hoped or dreamed for. 

Misty rain splashes through the forest canopy and mists cling to the hillsides like chiffon. The air is fragrant with the smell of cedar, fir and spring vegetation. My eyes savor the lush green of the forest and the rolling hills beyond and below. Cool moist air kisses my face and my ears are tickled by bird song, a bellowing cow in the distance and the sound rain drops make as they dance through the leaves.

Indescribable beauty surrounds me - a gift from you God to one so undeserving. Lord, I have no adequate words of gratitude. My thank you feels hollow in comparison to your gift.

May this place be used for your glory. May my eyes always see the splendor of your creation. May my heart forever rejoice in your love.

Praise be to you Lord God.

Bonnie

The Journey - Is God Good All The Time?

I've been waiting to write this post, uncertain what I would say. Even now as I begin, I can only express my awe at the wonder of God.

March 22nd I stood in the ER and said good-bye to my grandson, Ezra, as the staff prepared him to be life-flighted to a Portland hospital, four hours away. I prayed for God's healing and His peace. I prayed the doctors would be wise. I prayed he wouldn't suffer too much. And I prayed that I would see him again. 

I have walked through many storms and know that my will is not always the same as The Father's. Therefore I knew God would answer my prayer, but not necessarily in the way I wanted.

Ezra's injuries were mighty, but he is loved by a mightier God. "He shouldn't be alive," we heard from the EMT's on sight, the doctors who treated him in our local ER and Legacy Emanuel ER and from the surgeons who did their precision work on him. And yet, he is here sleeping in our home, very much alive. Ezra fought hard and after twelve days he took a very long ride home and walked from the car and into the house on his own steam.

Psalm 91:4 says, "He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart." 

The Lord was and is with Ezra. During Sunday worship I envisioned God shielding Ezra's head with his hands, preventing it from being crushed as the side-by-side he was riding tipped and rolled, trapping Ezra beneath it. God is merciful.

I don't know why Ezra's life was spared, but I'm grateful. This grandma knows he's special, intelligent and full of fun. Although he has a lot of healing yet to do, is moving slowly right now and has at least one more surgery in front of him he will have more days for things like swimming and barbecues and spelling bees. 

When God answers prayer and I hear people say, "God is good," I sometimes wonder how that person would respond when a tragedy doesn't have a happy ending? Is God still good? 

Our Heavenly Father is always good. Ezra came so close to heaven it takes my breath away. His ordeal reminds me of the sorrow weighing heavy in so many homes in this world. I pray for all the unhappy endings - may you see the light of the Lord even in the midst of your sorrow. He is there too. 

Ezra's journey thus far.

Thanking God for His mercy.

Grace and peace to you from God,

Bonnie