Purpose

      Tap, flutter, flutter, flutter... tap, flutter, flutter, flutter...  tap, flutter, flutter.... It took me days to discern exactly what that unfamiliar yet nearly constant sound was. At last I looked up from my chair toward the branches of the river birch which gloriously shades our front windows. And there it was: a flash and flutter of brilliant red against the emerald leaves. It took Bill's bird book to figure out we were observing a summer tanager doing what they do: this faithful male was collecting bugs that had gathered on our windows to feed himself and his family. The sound quickly became so familiar that we missed it during his brief breaks, and especially when he left us for warmer climes over the winter. But he's back now with his tapping and fluttering and an occasional soft "pit-tick."  

      That bird knows his purpose-- to care for his family-- and he carries it out faithfully without complaint. He has no idea how much delight, comfort, and inspiration he's giving me just by doing his job, what he was created for, hour after hour, day after day. I don't think he longs for adventure or even some greater "assignment." I think of our healthcare workers and first responders who carry out their duties without notice or acclaim, even and more so during this pandemic. Those certainly aren't glamorous jobs, and yet, like that bird, they inspire me-- to be a more faithful servant, without complaint (There's the hard part!), without adulation. 

      We received a graduation announcement this morning, from a sweet high school friend who had no prom and no graduation ceremony, no "Pomp and Circumstance." And yet she fulfilled this mission of her young life: she graduated from high school, and will be on to her next assignment in spite of the strange conclusion of her senior year. And after all the happy and hopeful pictures, at the very bottom, this graduate had chosen to place the following Scripture:

       "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."  (Joshua 1:9 NIV)  

   Now that's inspiring! 

Carolina Bird Club photo

   

   

      Lord, forgive me for wanting some greater purpose, some grander recognition on this earth; for what could be grander than fulfilling YOUR purpose for me in a manner pleasing to you? And what more could I need than fellowship with You to fulfill my purpose humbly, yet courageously? I love You, Lord Jesus, and that's all I need!

"He must increase, but I must decrease"  (John 3:30)

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Golden Bowls

 

  I hope you'll allow me a very personal moment here, though my prayer is always that this space will encourage you. Last week I did something which three years ago would have been no big deal at all, just lots of fun: I invited my family to gather for Sunday lunch at the lake. I LOVE entertaining and have missed it so! I enjoy preparing the food, making a beautiful setting, and most of all anticipating joyful fellowship with loved ones. I was determined to celebrate a belated Easter, Mother's Day, and a modicum of freedom after months of quarantine.

      I had planned this for a couple of weeks, and with Bill doing all the legwork, had gathered ingredients and little by little prepared the food. Going to the lake a couple of days before in order to make final preparations, I had to rein in my thoughts of having a spotless house, with the perfect decor and festive plates and napkins set out artistically, for I knew my limited energy would be required for the food preparation. Even so, Saturday came and I was in such pain that I had to call Bill to come and help with the set-up. I confess, I spent more than a few moments mourning the loss of my ability to "do it all myself." But then I reminded myself that two years ago I could hardly get out of bed, much less think of staying alone at the lake or standing in the kitchen long enough to prepare a meal. 

      Asking Bill to make an extra trip over was challenging enough to my independent spirit, even though he graciously came and did all I asked and more. After he left for home and I sat praying for strength and even momentary release from pain, I did something even more difficult for me: I sent a quick text to Bill, Margie, and Linda (my closest prayer warriors) asking them to pray specifically for me to have a good day Sunday. I really wanted to enjoy my family "just one more time" like we have done so many times before. I quickly felt an inexplicable peace, through my pain and weakness. I stopped worrying about how I would finish putting out the food and even sit at the table to eat. I had a wonderful sleep Saturday night, and woke up fairly strong Sunday morning. Pain lingered, and no small amount of anxiety-- or was it excitement? 

      Then Bill came back offering last-minute assistance, and soon my grandchildren were bursting through the door with squeals and hugs. Suddenly all pain fled and I found myself feeling "almost normal" as we stood (impossible for me even a year ago!) in a circle and held hands to give thanks for our food and our time together. I sat with the whole family for lunch at the table in the sunshine on the deck, rather than eating on my lap in my recliner while I listened to the laughter outside. I followed the kids to the water's edge to watch them fishing, and then presented them with Easter treats while sitting in the floor and helping them discover the surprises I had hidden in their eggs. As everyone left and I settled in my chair with a huge smile on my face, I raised my hands and my heart in praise to my "Good, Good Father"!

      And then I remembered the golden bowls. In our Revelation study a couple of weeks ago we looked at Chapter 5, in which the Lamb takes the scroll, and

           "When He took the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and golden bowls filled with incense, which are the prayers of the saints."  (Revelation 5:8 CSB)

      Think on that, my friend! Your prayers and mine, along with all the prayers that have been prayed throughout time, are being held in golden bowls before the throne of God! They are never forgotten; they don't slip by unnoticed. They are even now in God's throne room, held in bowls of the world's most precious material, ready to be poured out to glorify the One Who died that we might live! 

      Take heart: I have prayed many prayers that have not yet been answered, or have not been answered in the way I hoped. I know many of you continue to pray for my healing, as I have done for many of you; it's not happening instantly, but it IS happening. Sunday was one of the immediately-answered prayers. I dare say you have had both delayed and immediate response to prayers, as I have. But know this: not one of your prayers, proffered from a sincere and believing heart, has been missed. And when its answer comes, to God be the glory!

"Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is very powerful in its effect."  (James 5:16 CSB)

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Making Bread

      Have you ever seen or heard of so many people making their own bread? I find myself wondering if it's ever been so common in our homes since pioneer days? As far as I know there's been no shortage of bread, but what is it about these days of quarantine that make us want to go back to the old ways?

      Early on, the word "reset" kept coming to my mind: it seemed that thanks to the unusual world situation we were somehow having to rethink our priorities, figure out what is really essential. Suddenly going to restaurants and shopping for clothes or jewelry, treating ourselves to manicures, massages, and hair coloring, even gathering in houses of worship or schools, was deemed non-essential. Suddenly our lives became centered on our homes and families and simply taking care of ourselves. 

      I confess I've had a nearly three-year jump on this homebound, pared-down situation-- plenty of time to contemplate what's really essential. I've been reminded often of the refining we all go through during hardship of any personal nature. I've asked God constantly to reveal His purpose in my refining time. Perhaps it was for just "such a time as this," to help someone else endure the difficulty of isolation. I can only hope so.

      But what of this bread-making process attracts us? Yes, many of us have learned the basic steps of turning a fine dry powder and some liquid into something solid to sustain our bodies and even treat our tastebuds. Whatever shape or taste you desire for the end result, you must apply heat. And just the right amount of heat: too high or too low, too short or too long would ruin the finished product. But what about that powder? It doesn't come that way from nature! 

      I've observed from our farming neighbors just how painstaking the process is to grow wheat, from breaking up the soil, putting just the right amount of fertilizer on it, to spreading the seeds. And then you must WAIT for sun and rain and time to do their part. For winter wheat, which is what most breads are made of, it takes seven to eight MONTHS from planting to harvest! And then the wheat must be threshed (shaken off the stalk), and then separated from chaff (winnowed), and finally ground. Knowing all that, I'm truly amazed at how little I pay for a bag of flour!

      I'm wondering,then, if consciously or unconsciously, somehow all this bread making is one of our ways of slowing down to contemplate and perhaps appreciate the complexity of even the "simple" things, the necessities of our daily lives which we so often take for granted. Rest assured, my friend, God knows the exact amount of sunlight and rain, threshing and winnowing, grinding and even heat you need to become the perfect "loaf of bread" He designed you to be to feed someone else's soul!

          "You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt should lose its taste, how can it be made salty? It's no longer good for anything but to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet."  (Matthew 5:13 CSB) 

          "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."  (Jeremiah 29:11 NIV)

          "For it was You Who created my inward parts; You knit me together in my mother's womb. I will praise You because I have been remarkably and wondrously made."  (Psalm 139:13-14 CSB)

NOTE: I urge you to read Psalm 139 in its entirety, especially if you're feeling over-threshed, over-ground, and over-baked!

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