Everyday, every week blessings

Now and then, even more often than not, we need only open our eyes and ears to the joy, wonders and artistry in the world.

But always, everyday and in every week we are blessed with:

A blue sky and sun.  The pedestrian that smiles upon approaching one.  A safe trip on icy roads.  A neighbor, unasked, helping with a chore.  Animal tracks in the snow.  A helpful and pleasant store clerk.  The look of joy on a three year old child.  Laughter with an old friend.  The ability to walk, talk, see and hear.  A sister or brother’s hug.  The sound of winter wind howling while sitting in a warm house.  A few minutes more of daylight each day.

The list goes on and on.

It’s not easy

This blog is personal in many ways.  I wonder if it is too personal to be readable, or not personal enough to be meaningful.  In a way it’s meant to be a revelation about where I am at this point in time.  It’s also meant to be a solace, and hopefully an inspiration, to others struggling on the journey.

It would be easier to write meaningfully if aspects of my life weren’t on the verge of absolute shambles.  But it is what it is, and the fault is mine.  The fault used to arise from my being hardheaded, I think now it’s a matter of “simply” and finally having to learn the lessons of how and what to do as God expects.  Still, life -and learning lessons - can be difficult for all of us.  Can't it?

I’m trying to contribute more to the Kingdom.  I have faith that God will enable me to contribute in a way that best suits his purpose.  Still, even being on the path, I wonder if I’m moving forward or simply standing still and gawking.  Sometimes I wonder if I’ve moved backwards, but I do not fear wandering off the path.  God has a reason and a plan for me, and I do believe in Him.

How are you doing on the journey?

Overcoming and muddling on

…“Everything is possible for him who believes.”  … Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief.”   Mark 9:23-24.

Belief, faith and trust in God are weighty concepts.  Recognition of God’s presence and power is not enough.  Worship is not enough, nor is good works.  The Bible is filled with people who believed in, worshipped and followed the Lord; many did it in troubling times in ways and manners far beyond what many of us now face and do.  Still, it wasn’t unusual for belief and faith to weaken… or simply not be strong enough.

I’ve felt and believe in the unmistakable presence of the Father, Son and Spirit.  Many prayers have been answered, some even granted before I recognized the need.  However; even with God having given me so much, even with Him having found ways when I saw none; even with knowing Jesus is at all times both inside me and walking next to me; even with the Spirit nudging and guiding me… even with all that I become anxious, worried and concerned about so many things.  I now know that I cannot handle things on my own, and have difficulty discerning my part in God’s plan.

I fear that my belief, my faith and my trust are too weak.  I fear that I neither know nor do what God expects.   And so… in my prayers to Jesus I often add, “I believe; help me in my unbelief.”  That gives me comfort, it helps me muddle on.

Easy does it

... And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.  Micah 6:8

I was fifty something when God stopped dropping hints that I failed to pick up on.  I felt like a wall of bricks toppled over on me.  The Lord announced his presence in unmistakable ways.  He had only two mandates:  I was to serve the community in some way and begin regularly attending church.

I wasn’t a stranger to Christianity, having regularly attended a Baptist church as a youth.  As an adult, for decades I only stopped in now and then at varying churches.  I believed that more likely than not there was a God.  But I had no clue as how that impacted my life or anything else.

So… I had lots of questions.  I now knew there was a God, but wasn’t at all sure about Jesus.  This made me uncomfortable because I had begun attending a Christian church.  My big questions were:  What does God want of me and how does Jesus fit into the picture?

I told the pastor all of this and asked what I was supposed to do.  She pulled out a Bible and showed me Micah 6:8.  I read it and was relieved.  I said, “I can do that.”

The pastor then suggested I start reading the Gospels.  I responded, “I can do that too.”

Mercy

Father, thank you

for your mercy

for enveloping me in your arms

for your comfort and care

for soothing my soul.

Thank you Father

for your patience

for your love

for another chance

for making a way when I saw none.

Sense and sensibility

Look and listen.

His creations surround us

every day in every place.

Touch them, taste them, smell them.

We’re freely given

a morning mist and a fresh start,

a gentle breeze and renewed resolve,

the taste of tart cherries and sweet potatoes,

the smell of pine trees and salty sea air,

the sounds on a city street and

the colors surrounding us.

We’re given change and contrast

to enjoy and appreciate

dawn and dusk,

the laughter of a child

and the bark of a big dog,

the bone penetrating chill

on wintry single digit degree days

and the soothing warmth

of sunny afternoons in June.

One moment

Thank you God.

Thank you for your love.

Thank you for your mercy.

Thank you for my finally realizing

that your son has always been

inside me, and walking next to me.

I remember the moment

when you made it clear to me.

It was on a walk, going west into the wind,

on a cold, snowy day.

All of a sudden I just knew,

knew that Jesus has always been with me,

knew that he would always be with me.

Along the way

The three, the Trinity

The Father created the kingdom

The Son holds the key

The Spirit makes it right

They are all a part of me…

the best parts, and the person I should be

as a child created in the image of God.

Thank you God.

Thank you God.

Thank you for life.

Thank you for putting me on the path.

Thank you for the gifts and talents you’ve given me.

Thank you for the opportunity to share my blessings.

Thank you for another morning, another day…

another chance to get it right.