Enemies

Matthew 5: 43-48, "you have heard it said 'Love your neighbors and hate your enemies' But I tell you to love your enemies and pray for anyone who mistreats you. Then you will be acting like your Father in heaven. He makes the sun rise on both good and bad people. And He sends rain for the ones who do right and for the ones who do wrong. If you love only those who love you, will God reward you for that? Even tax collectors love their friends. If you greet only your friends, what's so great about that? Don't even unbelievers do that?But you must always act like your Father in heaven."

I spend a lot of time in prayer. I have known alot of enemies. From years of experience I've found that they all have one thing in common, ME! When I start out in prayer over the misdeed of another, I usually see myself as a victim of unfairness or cruelty. In my own frail and human spirit I am too limited to muster my own resevoir of love. As my time before God releases cries of pain, anger and even vengeful thoughts, I confess by faith that God will right this wrong.

Following my confession, I begin to let go of the emotional reactions. I pray for all the good things I would want to recieve of His goodness and mercy to be released to the offender. This was at first a strange discipline to apply, but here is the real truth about having enemies. If you suffer an offense( and we all will have that oppertunity, if we breathe) it lands on you and comes into you to reveal something of your weakend state spiritually. When we are unable to retrieve the love of Christ as an immediate response by forgiving, we deny the very same access to God to those who need it most!

The offender is simply a container of others offenses toward them!! They are seeking to rid themselves of this hot potato of unkindness. With an adjusted view of the real enemy, we can see that to stop this cycle of hurt and pain, we need Gods perspective to flow directly to the area in need of restoration in our own lives.

When someone intentionally or even unintentionally hurts me, I have to examine my own heart. Because somewhere in there is the real enemy! The selfish part of me that doesn't want to have to share space with other hurting people for the sake of the Lord! Somewhere in there is the real truth, the one that sets us free!

It can take hours,days, months even years , to get free of being someone elses container! But remember we also are vessels. What do we contain that spills out into anothers life? Are we toxic in the things we release? As long as we live we will be filled with something.

And so I pray for my enemies, the ones that keep me from loving, forgiving, and being in right standing with God. I pray for the newness of joy and healing that comes from The Holy Spirit, I pray that the words of Christ Jesus will keep my mind in His peace! I pray for you this day that you will longsuffer for the sake of a revolutionary love, as Jesus continue to longsuffer in His perfect love over imperfect man. That none should perish, all should come to the knowledge of Him in his fullness!!!

All you need is love

Chocolates, candles, dinner out and sexy lingerie are all a marketing strategy to make us mindful of the importance of romance on Valentines Day. Sometimes it has just the opposite effect. It puts more pressure on us and our spouses to have symbols of affection showered upon us.

Over the many years of my marraige I have come to realize that V-Day happens when you least expect it. I now laugh with my husband about his lack of knowledge from the book of love-you know the secret book we women use as a manual to assess a mans merit in the area of romance.

I recall a trip my husband made to visit his ill mother in Florida about 15 years ago. At the airport gift shop he purchased some tee shirts for the kids as souveniers. He also gave me the worst gift I ever recieved. An Iron wood hand carved pelican! It was about 10 inches tall. I could have clubbed him with it! Instead I tried to wrap my head around the message behind the gift. It took me 2 weeks to finally ask him what he was thinking when he bought it. He said the wood was the same color as my coffee table so at least it would match the living room.

That was when I lost it altogether! I ranted about the decor(all floral victorian at the time) I questioned him on his history of knowledge of my likes and dislikes. I asked if his mother helped him pick it out(proof that she hated me). Finally after interrogating him I wrote down all my hobbies, favorites from perfume to food, and gave a list of my sizes,designers and wardrobe choices. This resume of me included music choices, authors, and places I'd like to visit. I made him tuck it into his wallet in case he ever wanted to shop for a gift for me again!! At that time he replied with a firm"don't expect any surprises". I think I ticked him off!

But to tell you the truth, some months later he surpised me while we were out shopping. I was looking at a bunch of sweaters and he suggested I buy the blue one because it was my favorite color! He must have read the resume! Something clicked inside me. I realized that men aren't mind readers and we women need to tell them what we want! No beating around the bush, no manipulations, just straight up ASK!

I would rather have a back rub that put me to restful sleep than a nightie. I'd rather a chinese take out night with a funny movie, than a high priced dinner out in heels that pinch and stockings that cut off my circulation. And I'd rather hold hands watching the 6:oo news than watch cut flowers die over the course af a week, but thats just me and thats real love. I don't have to be a super model for him to cast a glance. I don't need to speak in a sultry voice to twist his heart. I just remind myself that a quiet and gentle spirit, a deep caring love causes him to want me near.

I know my husbands love language- a listening ear, an interest in his concerns, a home cooked meal, and a smile. Making our home a sanctuary of peace proves my love for him.

Men are not complicated. If you respect your husband he will surely love you.

All you need is love!

Favorite Child

I can easily recall times in my childhood when being selected for "flag holder", or "line leader" or teachers helper for the day, made me feel special. I even remember how great it felt in Junior High to have been named to the cheerleading squad. As a sophmore in High School the most breathless moment was when may name appeared on a call back list for the lead role in the musical! I didn't get the part, but felt such recognition in having been considered.

When my children were young they would tease each other by saying "I'm the favorite" if they recieved some small token or praise. As they each got older I found that time spent alone with each child was such a wonderful gift to me. I would often bribe them to accompany me to the store or on outings( they got to pick a place for lunch or a special treat to add to the cart). I then adopted a new phrase for extending invitations to them. "The one who spends time with me is my favorite." It wasn't all about what I wanted to do, I would sit with my son and play video games(poorly I might add), or watch some goofy teen movie with my daughters, maybe even plan an impromptu party that allowed me to include and get aqainted with their friends. I really wanted to know them and the world that they lived in. I wanted the time together to reflect something of who I was, aside from chief cook and bottle washer. I wanted them to know me, and recognize my presence in their life.

It may sound a bit elementary, but when our babies are small they need us to care and protect and feed them even before they know their own needs. At around two years old they begin to explore the world and perhaps understand consequence by way of boo boos. Some bumped heads or skinned knees can define limits and encourage challange. At around five they struggle to include others in their world. By the age of eight they now have tried to express what they like and don't like.( For my son it was no more kisses in front of others). For me, this connection with them constantly meant giving them room to grow and lots of love. It also meant being asafe place to fall when the world was hard, it meant creating space in the relationship to consider who they were and what guidance they might require. That was the intention in having my children to begin with. I wanted to know them and teach them to know themselves before God and others.

There are many oppertunities that God has provided for me to share of His world. I see Him as a benevolent parent who invites me to go with Him. I always recieve a special treat when in His presence. I enjoy the generosity of all the good things He lavishes on me by way of bessings. I love that He prepares a banquet table for me in the bread and cup. And He always wants to meet my friends, He would give anything for me to want time with Him as a priority! That is why He gave His son Jesus as an ambassodor of His great love to invite me into His family.

And I too sometimes ask " am I your favorite!" His spirit reminds me that whoever wants to spend time with Him certainly is!!!!

Life interrupted

Change is the only constant in my life. Most of it is beyond my control. Experience tells me I am not alone. Some changes are forward motion toward goals, others uncomfortable in the unexpected revalations I have about my attitudes. Still every new situation brings about a need to redefine and evaluate who I am and how I remain true to my own heart.

Each phase of this life so far has given me immeasurable insight into patterns and strategies that work or fail with my base responses. I've learned not to look at the circumstances presented, but to look at what they ask from me and decide if I will indeed draw myself a more positive picture of the desired result. I do this to self- encourage. To wrap my head around the "what I can do" before the "woe is me " wins out.

I then must ask myself if I am supposed to do anything about it. I've gotten into a few jams in the past by not stepping back and thinking things through. I like to remedy things quickly. But some things are not up to me to fix. The serenity prayer is a favorite for moments like these. " God grant me the wisdom to change the things I can, The serenity to accept the things I can't, and the wisdom to Know the difference." And trust me there is a big difference in what I can accomplish and what God is really trying to accomplish in and through me!

The good Lord is patiently giving me a heart transplant each day( so to speak). He has offered His son Jesus as the donar. If I accept the donar heart it will give me a chance at a healthy future! It is a daily option for every situation. It should be simple, but at first it was very strange. I mean even recipients of organ transplants require anti rejection therapies. I found mine in the relationships of more mature women whose lives reflected the results of Christs heart within them.

At the age of 51, I am still benefitting from the mentor relationships that encourage me daily to walk in the newness of Gods love and plan. I need that encouragement as much as anyone else does. Things still change, my life is not my own. I may have gotten older and a bit wiser but 51 is still just the tip of the iceberg for new experiences. Being married , raising children, and working are really just the adolesent boot camp build up for what we older women are needed for as our families become generational.

Retirement is really a re-firement of all the good stuff we have aquired along the way! Now is the time to take it to a bigger family! Gods Family! All our brothers and sisters who call need an answer. All our neighbors and friends need a calming voice or strong hand. Most of all someone needs my time. Time to invest in their future, time to lend hope, time to listen and time to do what I've done , respond with a right heart!

The greatest gift ever

When I was 22 years old, I left Long Island to move 3 and 1/2 hours away to a rural community upstate New York. I was the single mother of a 3 year old. I had no relatives there , no job, no support network to speak of,just $600 and a 1971 Ford Pinto. I did have a small amount of personal and household possesions(enough to fill a caravan). But I was invited to take a break from working the 3 jobs it took me to support us in the grind and exhaustion that had become my life. That invitation came to me from a young married couple of Jesus hippie freaks. They had a 55 acre farm and (1) 8 year old child, A 4 bedroom farmhouse with organic gardens, a flock of sheep, an apple orchard and a huge & passionate love of Gods people. They were my first visit from Christ as his human expression thru their lives.

I stayed with them to live in extended household while my broken and sin sick soul healed. After 6 mos. I knew it was time to move out on my own with my child. I found a ramshackled apartment for $125 a mo. and believed I would find work and help in the community. Eager to get a fresh start on my own(knowing they were only 2 miles away) I moved my small treasures into our new home.

I have to say that I couldn't wait to brew a pot of coffee and relax after everyone had left. I rifled through some of my boxes( they had remained untouched in the barn for 6 mos.)to find my coffee cups and pots. In shifting the boxes I set one atop the fridge. As I turned to get the electric percolator, I bumped the fridge with my shoulder and the box of mugs came crashing down all around my feet spilling the remains of chipped and cracked cups out onto the floor. My heart sank and my excitement quickly turned to tears . I audibly cried"God I can't afford to replace this stuff, You are my Husband! You promised me in Isaiah 54 that you would take care of me! I need coffee cups now, if you are who you say you are, You'll take care of my needs!"

I drank my coffee the next morning from a jelly glass(flintstones I think)as I got ready to attend a church meeting with my hippie friends. The church was 45 minutes away. I didn't know anyone there. But when I arrived I was welcomed , recieved, hugged and treated like a long lost relative! These people were so open to me and my situation. No judgement only love came to me there. At the end of the service so many had brought picnic lunches and invited us to stay and get aquainted, we snacked a bit and talked but were unprepared to just hang out and tailgate in the muddy and gravaled grass used as a parking lot. We said our good byes and walked to the car.

It was at that moment a young women came rushing up to me, her name was Marion. She asked if there was anything I might need. I was surprised with her question, she continued to tell me that she had spent the day before cleaning out her attic storage and had a few things in her trunk. I walked over to her vehicle and stood while she opened the trunk and took out a brown cardboard box. She said" this is from God to you" . I opened the box and inside was a complete set of brand new coffee mugs. Marion had called off a wedding years before and just faced down the hard task of emptying her hope chest. She explained that she was ready to move on and needed to gift the items in her trunk to others to celebrate Gods healing.

She couldn't have Known about my prayer the night before! Only God knew that I was in need of knowing He heard me and would answer when I cried. He, the almighty creator of the universe cared about my anxious heart. He had what I needed devinely prepared to prove that no whisper, no tear, no aloneness could take His love and care away from me! He remained my Heavenly husband from that day forward!

The gift of Gods love comes in the form of those who know Him,serve Him and call Him friend. It is revealed by the obedience of others to live a life that models Christ. It is manifested in such a way as to reveal and reflect His Glory!

Be the manifestation of Christ to someone today! Change someones life with your humble gift!

All things in common

I have been praying for a way to revolutionize and energize our current economy. During this past week so many concerns have come up from varied people groups that I hardly knew where to begin to meet some of those needs. But I did recieve an answer to prayer in a not so new but not often public practice. Now is the time to go public! To manifest Gods Power!

In the Book of Acts,chapter 2 verse 44, it says"All the Lords followers often met together and SHARED EVERYTHING they had".

Our Church recently put up a "Needs and seeds" marker board in the area designated for bulletins and sign ups. I check it out each week to find an occasional post. Members have quickly had requests answered. I thought about this small network and began to recognize that most of us have more than we need! We also use our homes as storehouses for the majority of things we possess. We continue to outgrow our uses for certain appliances, pieces of equipment and home furnishings. Recreational paraphanalia and random accessories occupy bins , baskets and boxes in every spare inch of storage we can fill. My mind went into list overdrive as I started to think about the last time I used "the icecream maker" or such occasional items I just had to have.

And than it struck me! If Craig could have a list, than why couldn't we have a reverse list? Something that is online. Something that takes requests from the local community. It would allow a connection for "shoppers"(those with a need) to be joined with items at no cost, except meeting for transfer of the possesion. This way freeing up monies not spent on comfort pursuits to enable all to make monthly bill paying a priority. An important focus given this current economy. With the added benefit of being a living testimony of grace and love to one another.

Here would be an example:Looking for Little girls roller blades size 2 gently worn,(aprx cost $25) call 555-xxxx .

You know there is a pair in the garage that are still in the box, Your child outgrew them last year! You contact and bless your neighbor with them. In turn your neighbor has $25 not spent that helps them meet another need for their household. They can feel less impact on their strained budget. They in turn answer a post for a little girls size 12 rollerblades. And so we circulate items that will connect us as a community in a greater way. Eventually the $25 is placed back into the economy for an unavailable item or need.

When we give more we have more to give! When we open the storehouses for Gods purposes we become purposeful in revealing His generous nature and kindness to all! We have no lack of any good thing! We model a way of life that respects one anothers differences and circumstances. In Christ we can have everything we need,Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven!