A Tapestry Revealed

Dozens of people (four+ to be precise), all family and friends, gathered together recently at my daughter's home. The late summer afternoon and evening was before us allowing plenty of time for games, a meal, and celebration. Spilling out of the beautiful screened-in porch in every direction a wiffle-ball game, bocce ball, scooter riding, strolls in the woods, and comfortable conversation on the patio soon ensued. The most comfortable seating was found on the porch where my 95 year old mother sat in her wheel chair with granddaughters, chatting away. 

I surveyed the scene with wonder and delight, and a bit of melancholy. We were there to celebrate my 70th birthday. 

A bountiful meal of five-star rating (if you know my daughters you know I exaggerate not) was presented just as a light rain visited. It passed quickly, leaving behind a gentle cool breeze. Delightful. We arranged ourselves around dried off picnic tables, dining tables, and lawn chairs, settling to eat our fill. 

Children finished quickly and soon dispersed to yard games and adventures. Young guys and gals played ball or took walks while conversation groups shuffled and resumed. So many cherished people, all in one place. I loved them all and was thankful for the relationships of family and friends God had given to me. 

In time, my husband gathered all in the screened-in porch (yes, all 49!) where I was to be regaled with words of appreciation from young and old. I fully anticipated encouraging, kind words from these dear people. But I hadn't expected what was then revealed. 

The words shared were colorful and textured (we laughed, we cried), rich and refined, layered and woven as young and old told stories that brought to life once again decades of experience and living. Reminders of His faithfulness were clearly evident. Testimonies of obedience to His Holy Word and the resulting beauty of walking in His Holy Ways were told. Grandchildren and children alike cited character qualities that were doubtlessly the work of His Holy Spirit. And on and on it went.

It was as though I was witnessing a giant loom weaving before my eyes a fascinating and glorious tapestry rich with texture and colors of scarlet, green, blue, and genuine gold. The beauty and design were such that could only have been His doing! 

And at that moment I was overwhelmed and gladdened. This tribute was truly His and not mine! Such a story, such a picture could only be His handiwork. All His. And it was stunningly glorious in my eyes. Every accomplishment cited, every moment of courage and bravery attributed, every act of faith and radical obedience was only because I belong to Him. 

As I listened I found myself in absolute awe. I could see the loom creating, thread by thread, the tapestry. He alone was glorified in every detail. I was left in wonder at the faithfulness, kindness, and mercy shown to this small, frail, wounded, inhibited, and timid girl. 

There was a clear clarion call to "see and hear!" Front and center at times while subtly woven into other moments, but always the constant theme, was His great goodness. He was to be recognized in every fiber, every thread. 

What a wonder! What a thing to behold! 

And what a great thing to declare: "This very thing -- this tapestry, this story -- was and IS His promise kept and revealed in your very telling!" 

I prayed that everyone there would be encouraged to see His faithfulness throughout decades -- to me, to them, to us -- on display in their very own words. I asked Him to stir afresh the hearts of those who have for years at various junctures walked that same path alongside me. For my grandchildren, I petitioned Him to impart a fuller awareness and gratefulness for what has gone before, how He has worked in previous generations, so they might honor Him and those He used. It is good and right to do so; they will themselves be blessed in unimaginable ways.

As Paul said, I will boast in Christ my Lord and Savior. I rejoice in Him alone!

I confess that I had lacked confidence at what this decade leading to 80 might hold. But now I will boldly declare, "This one thing I know: threads of scarlet, blue, green, and gold will continue to be woven together to bring Him honor and glory!" 

An obscure person living in a small town for a fleeting moment of time will produce a trophy for Him. And it will be HIS doing! 

Languishing

It has been and continues to be a challenging season for me. A downward spiral into a lack of energy, purpose, inspiration (yes, I admit it -- I thrive on inspiration) and a general sense of melancholy pervades my very being. What is this malaise that seems to be settling in? Fatigue, aches and pains. And the blues. Deep indigo blue.

I've experienced discouragement before, but this go around is making itself at home. The sense that it is taking on a permanence is overwhelming. What to do?

Well, like any child of the late 60's I figure I will "Keep on truckin'". That's all I know to do. That with a continual crying out for answers from the only source of genuine help I've ever known. 

In the mid hours of last night I found myself awake and praying, a fairly common happening for me. Suddenly it hit me, as though I had never understood it before. There is yet a job to be done:

Matthew 28:19 NLT   Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Acts 1:8 NLT  And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere -- in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. 

Acts 13:47 NLT  For the Lord gave us this command when he said, "I have made you a light to the Gentiles, to bring salvation to the farthest corners of the earth."

The marching orders have not changed. Not one iota. My part in accomplishing this may change. And challenging issues piled high on my plate may still overwhelm. Nonetheless, the goal remains the same. 

I am languishing. The mire has brought me down. The stuffing has been knocked right out of me, and along with it, all vision. 

But there it was, plain as day: He has clear plans and purposes for us -- for me -- while here on earth. That is the stuff of vision and vitality. 

Without vision we perish, flounder, flail. (Boy, am I floundering.) The emotional mountain remains. The role I play must now be discovered. But with fresh vision I have hope that inspiration will bloom again. 

Pray that it will. 

How thankful am I for His faithfulness! His Word is life. Call out, seek, and He will be found.

UNFAILING Love. Wow...

 I love mornings. The promise of a new day unfolding "with no wrinkles in it", as Anne Shirley would say, fills my soul with wonder and anticipation. He is so near and wonderful!

And that is always true -- but there are plenty of mornings that don't feel so new. Some days I awaken to the ongoing pain of a broken heart. The previous day's concerns loom large with the shadow of trouble blocking the morning light. As the servant of Elisha awoke to find the army of the king of Aram surrounding the tent, my enemy is at my door. He has not disappeared.

But like Elisha, I need to have my eyes opened to see. Or maybe my ears opened to hear. 

I will feast upon this promise throughout the day:

"Come to me with your ears wide open. Listen, and you will find life. I will make an everlasting covenant with you. I WILL GIVE YOU ALL THE UNFAILING LOVE I PROMISED TO DAVID." (Isaiah 55.3 NLT)

Oh, my.  Indeed, what a feast that provides! 

OPEN your ears, people!!! OPEN your ears, Darlene!!!!

He will GIVE you ALL the UNFAILING love that was promised to David. 

Unfailing. Never runs out. Never quits. NEVER FAILS.

Always succeeds. ALWAYS.

Continually available and already MINE.

Just COME. HEAR. LISTEN. And find LIFE. 

Thank you, Lord of Heaven's Armies, for lavishing Your generous love upon Your people. Thank you for rich truth with which to stand, and having done all, to stand.

Ephesians 6.13 NIV   Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 

More Lessons from Hezekiah

Ah, my dear King Hezekiah. God has been gracious to you. I read that you were sick unto death. The Word of the Lord came to you letting you know this would be it. You would not recover. You have been warned and now can be sure to get your house in order. But you weren't ready for that. 

You turned away from others to God alone and wept privately before Him, reminding Him of your faithfulness through the years. And God heard your cry.

Another word was sent, a promise of fifteen more years. Imagine that! More days, weeks, and months. More time.

But, my dear King Hezekiah. You did not end well. You caved to praise from men. You became a man-pleaser. 

The Babylonian king, hearing of your grave sickness, sent an envoy to comfort you. You were flattered, indeed! Babylon is one of the super powers. And Judah is very small. How wonderful that he was attentive to you! And you fell all over yourself to impress him, showing him EVERY treasure of the kingdom. Spices, aromatic oils, the military armory were all viewed. The Palace was on full display. Gems, golden goblets, silver chalices -- all were revealed with great pride! Nothing was held back. And the Babylonian envoy was duly impressed. 

God also took note. He sent His Word to you through Isaiah. "The time will come when all of this treasure will be taken away by Babylon. Nothing will be left." He continued. "Some of your very own sons will be taken into exile and become eunuchs serving in the Babylonian court."

And, King Hezekiah, I regretfully submit that your response is amongst the saddest verses in the Bible. 

Then Hezekiah said to Isaiah, "This message you have given me from the Lord is good." For the king was thinking, "At least there will be peace and security during my lifetime."             Isaiah 39.8

Oh, my dear King Hezekiah! This is not a father's heart. This is certainly not our Father's heart! How have you chosen to spend your days, months, and years? Is it for your own safety and pleasure, your own success? Please choose more wisely, dear King Hezekiah!

Here's a secret: I am getting older every day. The weeks are flying by now. The months slip away. Almost daily I am wont to turn my head to the wall to weep privately, crying out to God for more time. Oh God, more strength. More energy. More time...

But today Hezekiah's words have reminded me that this plight is not his alone, nor is it mine. It is common to all of humanity. Our time here is limited. Finite. Coming to an end. We all know that. Or we certainly should.

And today, as I read that very sad verse once again, I find my cry for more time being challenged:      What will you do with that time? How will you use it? How have you been using the time already allotted you? 

Oh, my Father in Heaven, You have found me out and laid my heart bare once again. What an amazingly true, faithful, and loving God you are.

Oh, dear God, help me to be faithful with each and every precious moment before me. Let me set my eyes upon You afresh this day, and every day. Let me bow humbly and say, This is the day You have made. Let me be glad and rejoice in it. And let me serve You fully, with my every thought, my every word, my every deed.

Hezekiah's Prayer

Hezekiah was king of Judah during a troubled time. A very troubled time. 

Sennacherib, the powerful Assyrian king, had forcefully overtaken most of Judah, crushing everything and everyone in his path. And his mighty army now was standing at Jerusalem's gates. Threats had been issued for all to hear and the people feared greatly. Hezekiah had torn his clothes, donned burlap, and sought the Word of the Lord through Isaiah, His prophet. Desperate times call for desperate measures.

Nonetheless, the Assyrian king's messenger comes once again with a letter calling for surrender, or destruction would be upon them. "Don't let your God, in whom you trust, deceive you with promises..." Oh, the Assyrian king was most crafty and his army was indeed formidable. This is fear-mongering at its worst.

Upon hearing the message, Hezekiah did the right thing, turning once again to God. He went to the temple, and laying the letter out before God, he prays.

"O LORD of Heaven's Armies, God of Israel, you are enthroned between the mighty cherubim!    You  alone are God of all the kingdoms of the earth." Isaiah 37:16

Wow! That prayer! Did you hear that? Do you comprehend what Hezekiah understood? He knew who his God was. He knew he had access to THE LORD OF HEAVEN'S ARMIES!!! This is the God who is seated on the throne between the mighty cherubim! A HOST is His to command. His chariots are tens of thousands, thousands of thousands. He has 200 million mounted troops!

Oh, how I needed to hear that today, to be reminded that HE is the one that I, too, serve. HE is the very same GOD I have access to through Jesus. 

Sickness, spiritual deception, wanton disregard for His order and design, slander and harmful words, disunity within the ranks, egregious sin and blatant rebellion. All of this and more can overwhelm me. Desperate times call for desperate measures.

I will humbly bring this to God, the Lord of Heaven's Armies. I will lay out the charges before Him and pray. 

These other kings and messengers are false. All those who trust in idols will come to nothing. HE alone is Lord of All. 

Who are you trusting? Who are you bowing before? 

If you have accepted Jesus' Lordship in your life, you have full access to the Lord Almighty. Bow to Him alone. Every concern, every fear, every threat levied against you is nothing. He has thousands of thousands and He will rescue you. 

Hezekiah's story continues. God promised help and God answers his prayer. 

That night the angel of the LORD went out to the Assyrian camp and killed 185,000 Assyrian soldiers. When the surviving Assyrians woke up the next morning, they found corpses everywhere. Then King Sennacherib of Assyria broke camp and returned to his own land. He went home to his capital of Nineveh and stayed there. Isaiah 37:36, 37

Oh, Lord, our God, come save, rescue, and deliver. Amen.