Who's stationed at your door?

It was a warm summer day when my Mother started calling our names, “Kay…Charlie”. The only thing separating my childhood home from the railroad tracks behind our house was an alley and small embankment. But to the wonderment of a child, that alley held treasures and far away places that could only be envisioned through the eyes of a child. The brush became forts where we fought dangerous Indians or conquered thieves and robbers, and always the victor! The next day the very same brush would become the backdrop for a royal kingdom complete with handsome princes’ that rode to our rescue upon glimmering white stallions. We even picnicked on peanut butter and jelly sandwiches that were fit for royalty! Although on that particular day we decided to venture beyond the boundaries that had been drilled into our minds. You remember those boundaries and the consequences of crossing over! When we finally heard our names being called we ran back to the “safe zone”, albeit a little too late! We had been discovered...UGH!! As we came through the gate, slowly walking up the yard to the back door, we just knew where our Mother would be…sitting in the doorway, waiting for us. She sat at the advantage point; we HAD to pass in front of her to get into the house.

“He also stationed doorkeepers at the gates of the LORD's temple so that no one who was in any way unclean might enter.” (2 Chronicles 23:19)

When reading this verse I immediately was taken back in time to our childhood “alley days.” Our Mother was the doorkeeper to our home as a protector for her children. The boundaries that she instilled in us (sometimes via the back of a wooden stick!!) were meant not to curtail our curiosity but to ensure our safety by not allowing any “unclean ways” to enter us.

In much the same way, God has set boundaries for us, His children today. Our bodies (mind, soul and spirit) are the temple that the Holy Spirit lives in today. “Set a guard over my mouth, oh Lord. Keep watch over the door of my lips. Let not my heart be drawn to what is evil or take part in wicked deeds.” (Psalm 141:3-4) David mouthed this petition to God a long time ago, but it is as relevant for us today as it was when he spoke the request. Why? Because God knows that whatever “things” we allow to enter our hearts can either promote good or have the potential to destroy us. Jesus said, “out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks.” (Matthew 12:34) What we allow our eyes to see and our minds to entertain will eventually find its way into our hearts and then be externally exhibited in our actions and behaviors. God wants only the best for us, “I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord. Plans to prosper you, not to harm you. Plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11)

He hasn’t stationed the Holy Spirit as the “doorkeeper” of our hearts to deny us, but rather to ensure our safety. So the next time when trying to determine what to do and we sense that tug at our hearts…listen, don’t dismiss it! It just may be the very voice of God trying to get our attention and divert us from an “unclean” intruder!

By the way, I almost never was on the receiving end of “the” stick...well, ok maybe that thought is a left over remnant of my “pretend” days too!!

Brain Freeze

BRAIN FREEZE..it doesn’t just happen with ice cream!! Have you ever been in a situation where your eyes meet those of another person and your mind goes into overload trying to dust off those webbed covered areas with questions like, “I know the face, but can’t place a name with it”; “Oh please God, give me his/her name so I don’t look like an idiot?” Well, I found myself in such a situation. It was a recent Sunday at the end of church when I met up with my husband who was talking with a man and his wife in the lobby. But this time, it was the one my husband was talking with that had the brain-freeze and not me (so nice to be on the other side for a change!). When his eyes met mine he said, “You look familiar” and I suddenly realized this was Bob, a plumber that worked on our home last year. Feeling quite pleased with myself that I knew his name, I blurted out, “Hey, I know you! You are Bob the plumber.” After a few exchanges, I introduced him to our daughter who was standing with me, “this is Bob, the plumber.” She, picking up with her quick wit, replied, “and I’m Jess the lawyer.” A few minutes later, as we walked away, we chuckled at the odd introductions. But I started thinking, how often we view others not by who they are but by what they do. We can even go so far as to place a value on someone based solely on what they do.
Good news, there is One who values us by who we are not what we do!
“The Lord answers, "Can a woman forget the baby she nurses? Can she feel no kindness for the child to which she gave birth? Even if she could forget her children, I will not forget you. See, I have written your name on my hand.” (Isaiah 49:15-16)
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart.” (Jeremiah 1:5)
God loved us and knew us before we were even born! Before we had any opportunities to establish our name, or establish our identities by our jobs or deeds, GOD LOVED US!! Let that sink in to your soul today. He sees into the very depths of my heart and knows my heartaches, my failures and mistakes, my hopes and yet unfilled dream and He doesn’t hide or run away.
I don’t have to prove anything or pretend I’m something or someone I’m not to God. He loves me for WHO I AM!

“…… I have summoned you by name, you are mine.” (Isaiah 43:1b) He will NEVER forget me.
Just as He called to Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 1-2), He calls to you and me today. Just as He walked with Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, He walks with you and me today. Just as He longed for Adam and Eve, He longs for you and me today. How comforting to realize that the God of things seen and those unseen, the God of the universe known and unknown knows your name and mine and still pursues us today.

Realize dear friend that you are not alone today. When others may have turned and run away from you, God will remain. My name may never have been tattooed on anyone’s arm, but it is engraved on the very hand of God.

Welcome!!

Hey, welcome to my blog, I am so excited you visited with me today!! Grab a cup of coffee and join me for a few minutes. I don't know about you, but I NEED a few minutes of peace and quiet before my day starts. That is the purpose for this blog...to have some Quiet Reflections that may help remind us throughout the day what is important. Take for example, yesterday as the sun was rising I stood looking out my study window admiring the beauty of the colors that filled the morning sky. The brilliant colors of red, orange and blue were painted across the sky's horizon like an artist paints on a tapestry. A flock of birds flew by right in the path of my view of the sun and I sensed God placing a thought in my mind and heart, "See my birds and how I take care for them? Not one of them has to beg me for food or shelter. If I care for these birds, why wouldn't I care for you today. You are more precious to me than all the birds of the air!" In Matthew 6:25-34 God tells us not to worry about we are going to eat and drink (very comforting for someone like me who tends to eat when stressed or bored!), or wear. He says when we seek after God all these will follow. He will provide all our NEEDS, not necessariIy our WANTS. Getting our priorities right is the first step. When we start living for the Creator instead of created objects our worry level will deline a few notches. If a tornado came blowing through my house what would I grab on my way for shelter? My husbands' and childrens' hands, and my cats. Kind of brings everything into perspective doesn't it? Whatever "things" can be disposed of are really not worth the anxiety, sleepness nights, overload of working or family tensions. Those "things" that are worth working for are relationships, giving a cup of food or water to someone less fortunate, a hug given to a grieving parent or friend, a smile or kind word spoken to a stranger. I believe when we do these things we are seeking God's kingdom. Christ came to seek and to save those that were lost and hurting. When we bear His name (CHRISTians) we are His hand and voice to those around us.
Let's be Kingdom seekers today....His kingdom not ours.