CRUMBS FROM A FULL PLATE

"There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day:  And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores,  And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores."  (Luke 16:19-21)

Definition of CRUMB:  a very small quantity of something

The other day while reading Luke 16... although reading all the way through the rest of the chapter to verse 31 - the Lord is trying to teach us many lessons... but in my pondering just the three verses above, here is what I gleaned: 

We are so busy these days... with work, hobbies, trying to impress the world and make a name for ourselves, climbing the corporate ladder, etc. - so many activities that our "plates are FULL."  Sad thing is, we get so busy with all that, there are only "CRUMBS" left for those we love.  Have you ever noticed how many times, the people that we really love the MOST are NOT those we love the BEST?  Often they get our crumbs instead of the best that we have to offer.  This happens with our relationship with the Lord also.  We are so busy that we even offer Him... CRUMBS.

We are always so worried about how others perceive us that we try so hard to please and do for those that probably and most likely know and care for us the least.  But for those that love us the most, accepting us in our faults and in our strengths, we tend to give the worst of us - most of the time.

Ella Wheeler Wilcox says it best in one of her writings:

There's one sad truth in life I've found
While journeying east and west -
The only folks we really wound
Are those we love the best.
We flatter those we scarcely know,
We please the fleeting guest,
And deal full many a thoughtless blow
To those who love us best.  

As Lazarus sat at the rich man's door, waiting and desiring only the CRUMBS that fell from the table, I wonder if our spouses, children, family, friends, and most of all our Lord... are sitting, yearning, waiting, longing, for once to get the BEST we have to offer... or are they waiting for just a CRUMB we may happen to drop to them on our way to impress a world that will chew us up and spit us out at the first opportunity?

"The hunger for love is much more difficult to remove than the hunger for bread."  ~Mother Teresa

"They may forget what you said, but they will never forget how you made them feel."  ~Carl W. Buechner

MY NAME IS PRIDE

"Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall."  (Proverbs 16:18)

The story is told of two ducks and a frog who lived happily together in a farm pond. The best of friends, the three would amuse themselves and play together in their waterhole. When the hot summer days came, however, the pond began to dry up, and soon it was evident they would have to move. This was no problem for the ducks, who could easily fly to another pond. But the frog was stuck. So it was decided that they would put a stick in the bill of each duck that the frog could hang onto with his mouth as they flew to another pond. The plan worked well--so well, in fact, that as they were flying along a farmer looked up in admiration and mused, "Well, isn't that a clever idea! I wonder who thought of it?" The frog said, "I did..."   

The perfect example of "Pride going before a Fall"... LITERALLY :)

That unruly monster we call "PRIDE" rears it's ugly head so often in my life.  Am I the only one that seems to struggle SO with this particular sin?  

How many times have we missed out on "God's Best" for our lives... because of our own selfish pride?  How many times have we missed out on special friendships because of pride?  How many times have we failed to say "I'm sorry" and receive the forgiveness of others because of our pride?

God has a way of speaking to us and getting our attention... and today He did that very thing.  I am a huge "Beth Moore" fan and while reading a few of her articles that I had tucked away for "another time"... I came across this poem and read:

My Name Is Pride

~Beth Moore

My name is Pride. I am a cheater.

I cheat you of your God-given destiny…

because you demand your own way.

I cheat you of contentment…

because you “deserve better than this.”

I cheat you of knowledge…

because you already know it all.

I cheat you of healing…

because you are too full of you to forgive.

I cheat you of holiness…

because you refuse to admit when you are wrong.

I cheat you of vision…

because you’d rather look in the mirror than out a window.

I cheat you of genuine friendship…

because nobody’s going to know the real you.

I cheat you of love…

because real romance demands sacrifice.

I cheat you of greatness in heaven…

because you refuse to wash another’s feet on earth.

I cheat you of God’s glory…

because I convinced you to seek your own.

My name is Pride. I am a cheater.

You like me because you think I’m always looking out for you.

Untrue.

I’m looking to make a fool of you.

God has so much for you, I admit, but don’t worry…

If you stick with me you’ll never know.

Thank you Lord for those tender lessons you send "screaming" into my heart!

God sends no one away empty except those who are full of themselves.

Dwight L. Moody

Juggling Jobs Justly

Again today, I find that "Proverbs 31 Woman" lurking over me just beyond my grasp.  I have often made the statement that there is no way "modern day woman" can attain what is set before us in that chapter... always with the excuse that she had servants.  Then I look around my home and see all of my "mechanical servants": electric stove, dishwasher, vacuum cleaner, washing machine and dryer, microwave, and the list goes on.  There goes my "excuse" obliterated like the fleeting moments on the clock.  Going to my file cabinet, I pulled out a "systematic plan" that I'd written several years ago.  At times we get overwhelmed when our to-do list is much longer than the hours we have "to do" them in :)  Looking only at the big picture... instead of taking one thing at a time and accomplishing that task before moving on to another, is our downfall.  Below is that written plan:

• PRIORITIZE
• Set a specific intention
• Stay focused on that intention
• Set a time limit to complete the intention
• At the end of that time... evaluate what has been accomplished and decide, what next.  

There are many things on my list that are not necessary and need to be eliminated.  I also must realize that "SUPERWOMAN" I am not, and that my strengths and abilities come from the Lord.  So as I rise from my computer... LOL - and get to the first thing on my "Priority List" - trying to the best of my ability to "Juggle my Jobs Justly"... I leave with you these two verses:

 

"I am the vine, ye are the branches:... apart from me ye can do nothing."  
(John 15:5)
 

"Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily."  
(Colossians 1:29)

A MOMMA'S JOY

"I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth." (3 John verse 4)

This verse, has for many years, been my hearts cry for my children.  Now they are both in the "vicinity" (LOL) of age 30 and it still remains my constant desire... not only for them but now for my three beautiful grandchildren.  There is a part of me that I will be vulnerable and honest enough with you to share... I also take joy when I see them at times walking in mine and Steve's shoes/footsteps or trodden roads we have traveled... doing things we loved.

For several years Steve had the privilege of having our son Stephen Jr., work side by side with him in the Surveying Business.  I now enjoy the fact that Stephen Jr. loves to write.  As a "blogger" it is obvious that is a passion that I too aspire to do in some feeble way - whereas his talent far surpasses anything that I have attempted.  He has a gift with words that he uses to help, encourage, and give voice to when they have lost their own - those who most people would not approach or give the time of day. 

Probably if you would ask either of my children... for as long as they can remember - their momma has been involved in some form of "Ladies Ministry."  Their growing up years were often filled with watching or sitting at the table with me - while preparing devotions, making crafts for doorprizes or favors, table centerpieces, meeting with ladies on planning committees, being nervous and excited all at the same time about speaking before a crowd,... etc.  Jessica - being of the female gender... was present at many of the events from the time she was a little girl.  This morning when checking my computer for messages and happenings in friends lives on Facebook... our son-in-law Jeff (Missionary to Thailand) had posted the following pics of our lovely daughter:

Jessie had a great time sharing with the ladies at the 

Streams of Blessing Church conference in Cha-am.

I could not help but be moved with joy at the fact she was sharing my love for Ladies Ministry and God was using her on the other side of the world to proclaim His love to a wonderful group of Thai ladies.  Again, the Lord using our adult child in ways we could of never dreamed!  The tears flowed and my heart was so humbled that it drew me to my knees in PRAISE OF HIM!

When I look back I know that there were many mistakes that I made as a mother.  I spent a whole lot of time teaching them to follow the rules and the expectations of others (because that is the way I was living my life at the time)... but I'm so thankful that in spite of my failures - the Lord can teach them far greater "life lessons" - and the major one is this:  

HAVE SUCH A PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD THAT YOU KNOW WHAT PLEASES AND PRAISES HIM... 
AND GET BUSY DOING IT!

Signed:  A Blessed Momma

SOMETIMES HE JUST WANTS TO HOLD US

Last night while talking to our daughter Jessica on the phone from Thailand... two of our grandchildren wanted to talk to us also.  First, Sophie took her turn talking with her Papaw and singing "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" to us... then it was Jackson's turn.  We talked for a few minutes and I told him that I ordered a new Animal Magazine for us to look at and read when he came to the United States in November.  I also asked if he remembered the "Wide Mouth Frog" book that Nanny always read to him and acted out with her face.  Of course he remembered the book and also the big basket of books that I always keep for them.  I told Jack that there were lots of new books in that basket and he asked:  "Can we read all of those books in the basket when I come to your house?"  His Papaw assured him that yes, we would read all those books if he wanted to.

This morning sitting in the comfy recliner before beginning my Bible Study... I couldn't help but think how wonderful it would be and will be... to hold those grandbabies on my lap, cuddle them close, and read book after book!  My arms ached at the emptiness that they felt as grasping with all my might to hold something that wasn't there (yet).  Then I flipped on the TV to listen to "Wednesday's with Beth" on the Inspirational Channel and just wept at how the Lord had ordained my viewing this morning.  One of her early statements about the Lord was:  "SOMETIMES HE JUST WANTS TO HOLD US."  

"The eternal God is thy refuge, 
and underneath are the everlasting arms:..."

(Deuteronomy 33:27a)

As I longed to hold my 3 precious grandchildren in my arms but realizing at this time they are beyond my arms reach (many miles away) - I was drawn to wonder if I'm too busy or too distant to have the time to just rest in my Heavenly Father's arms.  Is He longing to hold me... are His arms empty like mine, but I'm not available?

I turned off the TV and sat in the chair thinking of the song that is my "hearts cry" for my children and grandchildren:  "Just Be There" by Karen Wheaton

Cradled in my arms I held you
And I loved you more with each day passing by
Sharing joy, sharing pain
Through the sunshine and the rain
I can’t believe it’s time to say good bye

Just be there
When I finally make it home
And I stand before the throne
Just be there
When I look around to see
If you are standing next to me
Just be there

I will make the time today... to snuggle in His arms and let Him hold me tight - I desire it as much as HE does :)

"Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusteth in thee: Yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge... (Psalm 57:1)

Clay... Just Clay

I am but as clay in the potters hands.

Silently I scream, "Why do you make me this way?"

The potter is quiet, very quiet.

And as I also become quiet, I see

that He is always working the clay -

always working the clay.

As I inspect the vessel,

now I see it being shaped into an image

of unimaginable beauty, an object of honor.

And the Potter cracks a smile.

“...O Lord, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou

our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand.”  Isaiah 64:8

"Life Interruptions" or "Divine Interventions"???

I have recently begun another amazing Bible Study with a terrific group of ladies from Temple Baptist Church called "Jonah: Navigating A Life Interrupted" by Priscilla Shirer.  I don't take lightly the beginning of a new study as I am fully aware of the fact that "what I learn - I am responsible for!"  I have known of the story of Jonah and the Big Fish for many years and that the book of Jonah only consists of 4 chapters... so how daunting can this little book be (so I thought)!  I have worked through the first 3 Sessions of a 6 Session book and stand corrected and amazed by just how wrong I was.  My focus has always been on:  a big request - a prophet on the run - a big ship - a big storm - a big body of water - and a big fish.... but in all reality, this book is about none of those... it is about a BIG GOD and HIS BIG PLAN!  The book of Jonah is a beautiful depiction of the great love and mercy that God feels for all people and the lengths to which He will go to lovingly pursue each of us, His children, back into a right relationship with Himself.

There are many different kinds of interruptions in our everyday lives, and it is easy to get frustrated, disheartened, and confused by these unforeseen circumstances.  Every interruption is not negative, every closed door does not mean that we are headed in the wrong direction.  Every delay doesn't mean we are not in the right place or not doing what we are suppose to be doing.  Who knows why interruptions happen or what the reason may be?  We must ask ourselves:  Could this possibly be a "Divine Intervention"?

Realizing that God's delays are always deliberate.  God's plan for our lives, is much greater, than we can even imagine:

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord."  (Isaiah 55:8)

I LOVED THIS WHEN I READ IT:

"God orders our steps and our stops.  There are divine interruptions that God, on purpose, allows into our lives in order to bring about His best plan.  On purpose, God might delay a situation to protect us from an accident; or on purpose, He may close a door because it's not His best.  Sometimes God will allow us to be inconvenienced so we can help someone else in need.  When you live with confidence that the Creator of the Universe is directing your steps, then you will know that every disappointment, every delay, every interruption is orchestrated by the Most High God all for your good.  Even a fall, somehow, someway, God will still use to your advantage.  God's delays are deliberate.  He is in complete control, and He promises that all things are going to work together for your good."  ~Joel Osteen