Life Lines

copyrighted art of Betty Ann Fraley

Life Lines

Since all of life is filled with lines, I discovered to use them for my betterment.  As a young mom, I hated grocery lines with the children.  All their “being good” was used up and long lines meant  lots of saying “no” to  the candy located at the check out.  Then, one  of the guys would have to urgently go potty.  The youngest one would wiggle in the cart seat and begin to cry.  Of course, the register tape would break, the lady in front of me would have a million coupons, and my feet hurt from teaching all day.  I just wanted to get out of the place and go home.  Remember those days?  After one such incident, the Lord pricked my heart on the way home.

Internally, I heard him ask why I had not used that opportunity for Him?  What?  I didn’t have patience to even serve my family.  At that, I remember giggling and saying to Him, “OK, I give, we are your family. Show me how.”

 He taught me through Osborn Chamber’s devotional, My Utmost For His Highest. Chambers said, “ A saint’s life is in the hands of God like a bow and arrow in the hands of an archer.  God is aiming at something the saint cannot see, but our Lord continues to stretch and strain, and occasionally the saint says, ‘I can’t take any more.’  Yet, God pays no attention; He goes on stretching until His purpose is in sight and then He lets the arrow fly.”

That analogy has helped me so much.  Later on in any line, I learned to use the time to teach my children, whisper to them, or show them how to observe others and be grateful for those around us.  Line time became a relationship time. Now, it wasn’t perfect, but it sure improved my line expectations with our little guys.

  As I aged, life became fuller and more hurried, and I would feel frustrated waiting in a bank line, a doctor’s office, or a retail line.  Then, I would visualize myself being stretched for a purpose.  I would turn to someone near and begin to ask them about their life, their problems, and God would use me. The wait was fulfilling. I was experiencing holy love, and they were being splashed by grace.  

Lines continue.  Now, they are waiting with my husband, my granddaughters, or by myself.  God has taught me so much during these “waiting times.”  He taught me to pray at red lights, sing favorite hymns while stuck in traffic,and to be grateful for my blessings while waiting at doctors’ offices. Whether the line is short or long doesn’t matter.  It is God’s time, and I am His bow with His directed arrow.

Party Planning

Planning for a Special Day

Many of you know that I had a garden reception for Annie and Adam last month.  The newlyweds met and greeted relatives and friends that could not make the Cozumel destination wedding.

I had been working from check list for over a month.  Each week Den and I would do a big project and countless small ones to be ready by June 18.  I petitioned my heavenly Father for good weather.  It became  a faith stand. However, He honored my faith by giving us four hours with no rain.  The party was from 3 to 6.  His timing was perfect.

I was blessed by friends who offered to furnish and make the coleslaw, the pasta salad, furnish the linens, and even help be a server for the day. Denny was wonderful in helping on my long “to do” list.  

There were so many little details to attend.  I know part of it is that I love planning for a party and hoped everything would be perfect.  I wrapped  the silverware cleverly, the table decor was designed to be inviting and lovely with sea shell centerpieces. It was important that  the food be tasty and presented like a Martha Stewart gathering. However, most importantly, I wanted my gardens to explode with beauty.

I worked laboriously making gardens look kept.  I spent morning hours spraying bloom booster to enhance the flower production. The weather did not cooperate, and the flowers needed sun.  I was obsessed with checking for blooms or wilting flowers.  I wanted the day to beautiful and Annie and Adam to be surrounded by best friends and family, who were laughing and enjoying the fruits of my labor.

This morning during devotions, it hit me.  God spent laborious hours creating this beautiful earth.  He provided rain, sunshine, and the flowers I nurture in my own little Garden of Eden.  He went much farther than I.  He made all provisions for us to live in a paradise, a party with Him for the rest of our lives.  He gave His life, so I might partake of the best celebration in eternity.  He left no one from the guest list.  We all are invited.

If I were as diligent tending my soul as I had been preparing for this party, I would have a full and nourished soul.  I think I need to make a soul check list each day, and I will do one really big project each week for my soul just like I did to prepare for this party.  Each day I must do small tasks to keep my soul nourished.  God will provide the nudging, the spiritual list, and all I have to do is accept His invitation to be in His presence each day.  I so love how God teaches us through our projects and daily happenings.   

Faith in Him, not Me

,f 

What Is In Your Hand?

While reading in Exodus this morning, I was reminded of how Moses tried everything not to be God’s messenger to the Egyptians. Moses pointed out his age, his poor command of the language,and his inabilities. God knew his heart. God knew Moses had a heart of wax that could be molded by the Spirit of God. God trusted that Moses would eventually listen to God's call. To further persuade Moses, God asked, "What's in your hand?"

For some reason, Moses' first reaction gives me comfort. I too have many times told the Lord I am not equipped to be His messenger. I too have inwardly been asked, “ What is in you hand?”

It is a sobering question to answer before the Lord. He has made me and given me my gifts, my inclinations, my heart for Him. I must be honest before Him because He knows me. He knows me so much better than I know myself.

I thought I could not manage or live through Alzheimer’s with my mother. God showed me that in my hand was optimism. I could be by her side and cheer her with my presence. I could offer her art opportunities , so she could still be involved in color. Recently, I found one of the notebooks where we had drawn butterflies, flowers, and spring blossoms. Because of her foggy mind, Mamma’s pictures were distorted, but her colors were loud and strong. I would applaud her efforts and command of color. She would smile sweetly . This brought me such joy. God knew what was in my hand.

Another time God asked me to go to Kazakhstan. At first , I was so reluctant. I drug my feet. My excuses were: I don’t know the language, it is too far away, I was taught fear of Russia as a child, I am not ready, and I did not have that much money. I sounded a bit like Moses. My lack of confidence was in me. I wasn’t giving credence to my God and His power, His words, and His favor. It took me a couple of years to trust Him totally. Finally, I listened and said, “ I am weak but You are strong. Let’s go together.”

I should have responded that way immediately. Gratefully, He knew my heart. He knew I had to prepare my spirit to rely on Him , not me. He knew what was in my hand . He knew I could be used to touch the educator’s hearts and minds in Kazakhstan. My visits there have given me growth, insights into their culture, and best friends. God knew what I needed to develop me and help them. He knew the gifts He had given me and only asked me to use them, and He would do the speaking, the demonstrations, and guide my teachings. Again, leaning on Him , following His urging brought me such joy and understanding of His power, His presence, and His love.

These difficult times have developed my faith, my trust , and love of God. I pray today that my heart is waxen, not hard like Pharaoh’s . May this week bring us all a week of listening and learning. May we answer willingly and come to realize what is in our hand.