Laying it on the Altar

Fear Is In His Hands - Hannah Hurnard 

I said, "I can't stop being afraid."

"I'll teach you, Hannah," He said.  

Once, as I was looking out the train window during a train trip,

I saw a field covered with lovely fruit trees.

In the middle was a huge scarecrow and on his arms,

five birds were perched.

The Lord said to me, "Hannah, there are

foolish birds and wise birds. The foolish birds

are frightened by scarecrows and they fly away.

But wise birds know that all the best fruit grows

close to a scarecrow. When they see one,

they chuckle with joy and fly straight there

to find the best fruit.

"Your fears are like a scarecrow.

If you put your hand in mine and go up

to every scarecrow, you'll always find

lovely blessings."

And so I sit here - trying to write this blog and wanting to reach for God's hand as I try to face the scarecrow lurking in front of me...because, I know that the blessings are waiting for me; so, I want to face the fear. Why is this so hard? And, if this is so hard, why do I feel like I even need to share my heart? Where is God leading me on this familiar, yet unfamiliar, path?

One of my favorite books is "Hinds' Feet on High Places" by Hannah Hurnard. I relate to the main character, Much-Afraid, as she travels to the high places where she can forever dwell with the Shepherd. She learns along the journey, though it is sometimes difficult and lonely, to make an altar of her fears so God can transform those things by love into things of beauty.  Along her journey she builds many altars to remind herself of the Shepherd's goodness. These are the lessons she has learned as she surrenders her heart to the journey.

"...He remarked quietly that the important thing about altars was that they made possibilities of apparent impossibilities..." - Hinds' Feet on High Places

I, too, am like Much-Afraid. God continues to teach me to build an altar at the hard places in my life with a heart of thanksgiving. I continue to learn that He transforms a grateful heart in the most astonishing ways. He turns fear into faith, lack into bounty, rough stones into precious jewels.

The Shepherd laughed too. "I love doing preposterous things," he replied. "Why, I don't know anything more exhilarating and delightful than turning weakness into strength and fear into faith and that which has been marred into perfection." -  Hinds' Feet on High Places

So, I am building an altar at this place and holding on tightly to the Shepherd's hand as I embark once more on this blogging journey, I pray this blog is a safe place, a thoughtful place and a helpful place. A place where I can show God's love and be a witness to others of His transforming grace.

"Whenever you are willing to obey me Much-Afraid and to follow the path of my choice, you will always be able to hear and recognize my voice and when you hear it you must always obey. Remember, also, that it is always safe to obey my voice, even if it seems to call you to paths which look impossible or even crazy." - Hinds' Feet on High Places

Much like the Shepherd's love transformed Much-Afraid to Grace and Glory I can't wait to see how His love transforms me!

P.S. Read the book. It will change your life!

Photo by Peggy Chmelicek

Prayer Warrior with a Fierce Faith

I believe there is no better way to love a person than to pray for them.

I have been blessed my entire life by prayer warriors who have lovingly prayed me through many uncertain times. I am humbled by the number of people who have placed me in the arms of Jesus. I know I have been protected over and over again by those with trusting hearts far stronger than my own.

Prayers for health, prayers for safety, prayers for healing, prayers for the known and the unknown - they have all been offered on my behalf. I am been loved in a mighty and powerful way. 

I have recently found myself in a group of 20+ beautiful women that are loyal to pray for me. These women were strangers a few short months ago. But, it is no mistake we are friends now. God has always had a beautiful way of bringing the exact  people into my life that I need at this moment - and for those who just might need me. I am amazed by His goodness and His grace.

We have a common ground. We are prayer warriors who have a fierce faith knowing that the safest place to bring those we love is to the One who will love and protect them the very best.

Listen to this song from many years ago that reminds me of the many who have loved me through prayer. I hope they know they can count on my prayers, too.  We need each other! And, like I said, I believe there is no better way to love a person than to pray for them.

https://youtu.be/NSkyXR0aacE

Lift Up Your Heart...

"It is spring fever. That is what the name of it is. And when you've got it, you want–oh, you don't know quite what it is you do want, but it just fairly makes your heart ache, you want it so!"

                                                                                                                                    –Mark Twain

February 2019 can be summed up in a few words - Cold, Grey and Snow. School has not been in session a full week since January, or so it seems. I have been stuck at home and recovering from surgery this February. And, like everyone else, I am longing for warmer days, dry pavement, sunshine and the drab and dreary monotone of winter to be washed away.  

This short month seems to have last the length of several. 

My heart needs a lift!

I know that just beneath the surface of the hard packed soil there is a lot going on.  Nature is preparing to wake up and wow us with all of her beauty. If you look closely, you can see the trees budding a bit, the tulips and crocus pushing and poking their little heads out of the ground and waiting for their chance to bloom. It's almost time.

There has been preparation in my heart this season, as well. God has quieted me with His love over and over again. My usual talkative self has been stilled and it seems all I can do is listen. It's been a season of learning, observing and of nourishment. God has breathed a longing in my soul to seek him with all of my heart and say "yes" to the things he desires for me. I've been able to find God in the most unexpected places and through the most unexpected people. It's humbling to know and believe how much I am loved. 

It's amazing to see how God has used rest and stillness to bring beautiful things into my life. Just like the long February has prepared the earth for beauty of Spring. 

Comfort in the night...

I love the sound of a train - the constant chug, chug, chug rhythm of the wheels connecting with the track, the warning whistle when the train comes to a crossing, the advance notice alerting me that something powerful is approaching and I need to pay attention.

Every place I have lived I have been able to hear a train clambering along the tracks, especially late at night when the busyness of the day has quieted. The tracks, now closest to our home, are nearly a mile or so away. I love it in the summer and the windows are wide, I can hear the train whistle blow - sometimes fairly loudly or, at other times, faint and distant. It all depends on how clear the sky is and if the wind is blowing or is still. To me, the train is a comforting sound, a constant in ever changing circumstance, a voice in the night that whispers, "You are not alone, I am here, I am here, I am here..."

Sometimes, I find myself straining to hear that reminder from God - especially when my heart is lonely and I need reassurance that his presence surrounds me and his loving hand is upon me. It is then when I am quiet and still that I can hear His voice or feel His touch. It is then I can see and recognize the forever ways he provides reassurance he is there and waiting for me to take his hand.

I am thankful for the gentle ways that God draws near to me even when I'm not aware it is Him that I am seeking. I hope I can always be comforted by the rhythm of his love holding me close with the promise..."You are not alone, I am here, I am here, I am here!"