An old favorite movie is “The Imitation of Life”
I saw the 1959 version with my mother. We were both quite moved, especially a few specific heartbreaking scenes.
After losing her daughter at Coney Island, Lora, a widow and budding actress, seeks to find her daughter Susie. She is frantic, understandably so.
She eventually finds Susie eating ice cream, with another young girl, Sarah Jean. Sarah Jean’s mom, Annie was watching them. It is noteworthy that Annie is black and her daughter’s skin is light.
Lora actually thought Annie was Sarah Jean’s mammy and is surprised otherwise.
Annie is homeless and proposes to help Lora and her daughter. Lorna cannot pay her to help, but invites her to stay one night.
Annie was loving, selfless and patient and most of all had a great love for her daughter. She does allude to the color issue, talking to Lora, “How do you tell a child she was born to be hurt?”
She was black, but the father of her daughter was light colored. Annie says “She favors her father” (meaning in looks).
As Sarah Jean grows her anger and embarrassment at having a black mother escalated. She does not accept that she is black. She eventually runs away from home. She makes wrong choices and even gets a beating from a boyfriend when he finds out she is black.
Lora’s career takes off. Susie, in the meantime resents that she was always second best to her mother’s pursuit of a career. Annie ends up raising Susie as Lora pretty much rejected her
Years later, Annie realizes that Sarah Jean is working in a
scandalous place. She visits her daughter in the rooming house, saying that she just needed to see Sarah Jean to make sure she is OK. In this heartbreaking scene Sarah Jean venomously belittles her mother for coming. She yells “I am white!” Her mother however reiterates that she just want to see Sara Jean one more time. (Her health was deteriorating) She said that she cares for her and wants everything to be ok. She even asks Sarah Jean, that if she needed anything, would she be willing to contact Lora? (She knew her time was short)
As the mother is leaving the room, she tells her how much she loves her. Sarah Jean’s hard facade diminishes. She is conflicted and distressed. She starts to cry and as they hug, she whispers “Mama”
Her roommate came in, she said to Sarah Jean, after Annie left, “So honey chile’, you had a mammy?” Sarah Jean replies “Yes all my life”
Annie, eventually is bedridden and being cared for by Lora.
She dies of a broken heart and was given a funeral she requested. It involved a large crowd, gospel singers and a horse drawn funeral carriage.
Sarah Jean returns to town. She must have been informed of Annie’s death. Just as the Funeral procession was leaving, she runs after and falls on her mother’s casket crying “Mama…please forgive me!”
I feel that Annie represents the Love that the Lord has for us. We are His, “no matter what” He realizes that we will have to go through hard times (being in this world but not of this world). In spite of how much we reject Him, spew anger at Him, and try to run away from Him…His love remains the same.
When we go astray, He goes after us, trying to woo us back Home. We can still be filled with rebellion and reject His overtures of Love.
We can be like the Prodigal who went to live out on His own. His father (our Father) knows where that will end up, but I have often thought “In LOVE…the father let him go”…He never forces us to stay.
However, deep within her heart, Sarah Jean loved her mother. She just went so far away…she may have not known how to get back.
Lora to me represents a person with selfish ambitions. Pursuing a dream, in and of itself, is not wrong, but she sacrificed her daughter on the altar of self. Her daughter suffered.
I think it was honorable that Annie stepped in to raise Susie, but what I thought of was the term that is thrown around recently “It Takes a Village to Raise a Child” Like so many things, on the surface, it could sound good, but I don’t want my children or grandchildren or nieces and nephews to be “raised” by a society that has very different views than I do. For the most part hate God and hate Christian values.
Of course, God doesn’t die with a broken heart in the way we understand, but it IS broken and poured out with a Love that is true.
In essence you could say the life, in the natural, without God, is truly an Imitation of Life.
FREE!!!...FREE GROCERIES…$250 worth and I fell for it…I fell hard.
It was a couple of years ago, when we really could have used this type of “gift”. Are you shaking your heads saying…”uh—huh”…”that sista’ had that trusting thing bad”
So, I went into the 1st screen that brought me to the next screen, and offers…. (Shipping and handling only of course) all the while me thinking when I was going to get to the free grocery special?
I never quite made it all the way. Something or someone told me to stop there. But I messed up enough saying yes to a particular offer in which I paid shipping and handling. BUT, I signed up for a never ending monthly CD. I FINALLY got to discontinue it, with the bank’s help, but I lost a couple of hundred dollars in the process
What the saying? “If it sounds too good to be true….it probably IS too good to be true.”
Well that applies to earthly things but not heavenly things.
Jesus died, not because He was a great Teacher, Leader or Person. He died on the cross to free everyman woman and child from the ravages and consequences of sin
Interestingly enough, that news IS good news…it does sound too good to be true.
However, there is something in our human nature that has a hard time yielding to that type of Love. It seems too far-fetched. We want to know what WE could do to earn such a gift.
There was a song when my kids were growing up. On the album’s title song which was.
“Free to Be You and Me” It comes from the 60’s and 70’s era, where free love was expounded and free expression was valued. Not all of that is wrong but we have to admit some of it was off balance.
I agree with the fact that we can be held back by expectations of others, as well as our own for ourselves.
I can remember my oldest brother asking Marcel (my husband) why he felt he needed to become Born Again. He prefaced it this way though,” I know why SHE ( meaning me) felt she should be born again, but you seem to be one who has a lot less needs”…(Don’t you love older, blunt brothers?) He further questioned Marcel he could just not get his mind wrapped around the fact that he didn’t have to do anything to earn salvation. He didn’t have to jump through hoops to attain forgiveness. And probably got stuck in a place many people get stuck in, is the fact that they STILL want control and so there is something that they need to do…that they can do. As Marcel, explained it as best he could, my brother kind of shook his head and perhaps thought “Freedom is free??? It makes absolutely no sense to me. I can’t be that easy”
He had some religious upbringing but that did not gel with this news. And if he did think that, he was correct in that point, it is religion that wants to have rules and regulations and a way that seems right to a man, rather than believing the incredible Good News.
I remember hearing once that the Gospel is “The Good Glad Glorious News That Makes a Man Leap for Joy”…I like that…It sure sounds like sheep a leapin’ in the fields.
Jesus wrought us a freedom that is free and yet was not free. Ok, you say, now you are mixing me up.
It is a Free Gift to us but it was a Costly Gift for the Lord.
He gave ALL He had…His very own life.
He gave His Life, what More could He do?
Oh how He loves me
Oh how he loves you
Oh how He loves you and me.
Can you remember being in school and having a demanding teacher? One that didn’t take any nonsense and expected the best from you?
At the time, you may have been frustrated and even a little angry BUT, when you look back, they probably are on your list of favorite teachers.
Why? Because, by “pushing you”, beyond what you thought you were capable of, it brought results that you didn’t expect.
However, if all they did was demand from you, that would border on abusive. With certain character traits, this teacher had integrity and modeled speaking the Truth in Love... And that my friend makes all the difference. They earned your respect.
That is how I view the author of the Book of James
.
Many years ago, a friend told me that this was her favorite book of the Bible. Why did I then feel, that when I read it, I kept saying “ Ouch!”...That hurts!”...”Owie!” …” That’s me!”…”That’s not me!”…”You’ve got to be kidding”?
At the very beginning, the book says, “Count it all joy, when you face trials of many kinds…” James 1:2
“ STOP RIGHT THERE!” That’s crazy I thought (sorry I am being honest). I didn’t read the complete thought, but eventually came to realize that this wasn’t “Let’s throw a party with Happy Feet”, but that the Lord’s intention is help us build spiritual muscles.
The writer in 1:5-8, talks about asking God for wisdom. THEN after hearing that wisdom, applying it to our lives. Again, my eyes skipped over too quickly and all I focused on was a person who doubts. James describes them like one tossed in the sea, blown here and there. And that person is double minded. In this particular area, I had to “work out” this truth, with a lot of effort.
My thinking can get scattered. It has been an ongoing struggle. In the past, I had prayed, asked for wisdom and got wisdom. I don’t feel I doubt God, having the wisdom and wanting to impart it to me. My struggle seems to stem with wondering if I discerned correctly. The consequence is the same…I am tossed all around and not at peace.
The enemy can tempt us in a bunch of ways. He tries to keep us from obeying God and/or lying to us telling that we cannot do anything right.
The other day, on the issue of taming the tongue, i.e. “Out of the same mouth, come praising and cursing. James 3:10. …no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. James 3:8 I had a blowout. I have been taking a medication that can, as a side effect, cause angry outbursts. The other day, all %^#@* broke loose. I spewed angry words over my husband. I was horrified. Did I have a legitimate explanation because of the medication? Although, it was a contributing factor, junk seemed to be hidden in my heart.
There certainly are times when we can over focus on the enemy and his tricks. However, ignoring the acts of his presence is a mistake too. Without having the “devil made me do it” excuse…I better believe that he is out “to kill, steal and destroy.”
This brings me to the final section.
“Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” James 4:7a.
Again, I glossed over what preceded that verse. SUBMIT yourselves to God THEN resist the devil and he will flee.
So James has taken on a whole different tone or me. It is a practical book with a lot of wisdom.
I am not sure I could call it my favorite, but it is a book that has much value in my life.
Anytime I sense myself wavering or slipping and sliding, I think it would be a good time to check in with James.
We are familiar when incidences happen that seem to have a serendipity tone to them. WE might even say a happy coincidence happened…but coincidence nonetheless.
As we get used to the ways of God, we realize these “happenings” are not coincidences but are God incidences.
At times, it is very clear that God’s intervention is what happened. We can be very dull at times though. We deserve to be looked at straight in the eyes and have someone say “ DUH!”
Other times the hints are subtle it isn’t until later that we are exclaiming “God DID that!”
This week as we are talking about Israel, I put myself in the first category. As we speak, I can see something beautiful unfolding in my life about Israel.
This week’s topic was chosen a month ago. Monday, I was trying to slog through a loaded email box and as I was scanning the list, one of the posts caught my eye.
On Monday, women and men from around the world, pray on a Conference call. They are from a highly reputable ministry. I have participated on the call before, but as of late have not been able to.
On Tuesday, a text of the call goes out. Again, I have just been unable to read these texts for a while.
Two of the main issues that are prayed for are Israel and Islam, both of which this ministry has a mandate for.
At the end was a prayer about their upcoming trip to Israel. The prayer had declarations about the Lord tapping people on the shoulder to attend this trip. The prayer continued asking the Lord to remove all blockages their might be. Finances…time off from work…family responsibilities etc.
My faith leapt. I took a hold of this “offer/gift” and said to the lord “YES, I want to go!” He knew that has been a dream of mine for years. The difference this time was that I had a deposit of faith poured into me that said “YES! The Lord can provide the funds! I can trust that!”
Israel became a state, the very year I was born. 1948.
Why am I enamored about Jewish people beyond praying for the Peace of Jerusalem? It is because the Lord was Jewish. He has an Everlasting Covenant with His people, which I believe, is still to be completed.
My Uncle “Hoppy”, a Polish Catholic, fought with the Polish Army during Hitler’s reign. He was imprisoned. When asked about those experiences, all he could do was cry.
I have no way to prove this as I have not had a DNA* test done (yet) but I strongly believe that I have Jewish heritage in my bloodline. Having had my ancestors all from Poland, it makes that a greater possibility.
Having been a supporter of the Holocaust Museum in Washington DC, I received a Calendar once that pictures of various that helped their fellow men. I looked at a certain month, my mouth fell open. Starring back at me was my brother Ray. Ok, it was not really my brother Ray, but a “twin”.
You may think…Linda, that’s nice and we know that you “think” you have Jewish in your bloodline. What “proof” do you have? “None, but isn’t that God speak sometimes? Against the laws of nature and human understanding?
.
I thought everyone here agrees it looks like Ray. But why don’t I send it to him and see what he would say.
The verdict? Ray and his wife said, “ Yes!” I thought that was important as if we saw a picture that someone said looked like us, we would be the most likely to disagree.
There is/has been a Haman spirit, that since the days of Esther, that wants to annihilate the Jewish people. I believe Hitler was the embodiment of this diabolical destructive force. I contend that the Haman spirit is alive today and its agenda is the total annihilation of the Jewish people and Israel as a nation.
Sometimes Christians feel a love for certain people groups The reasons can at times be obvious and other times not.
I am drawn to the Jewish people. Oh yes, I see so many Jews never practice or believe a thing about their heritage. Haven’t our hearts been that way as well…far from God…clueless?
.I am believing and asking you to join me in prayer that funds would come in for a trip.
I will send you greeting from Israel…April/May 2013!
*NOTE* I wrote my blog Thursday during the day. Thursday evening there was an offer to get a DNA test at 65% savings. A coincidence? I think not.
This week on Kingdom Bloggers, we are discussing favorite Contemporary Christian Author and Books.
Four authors came to mind, Francine Rivers, Bodie Theone, Liz Curtis Higgs and Jill Austin.
Francine writes fiction, Bodie, along with her husband Brock writes Historical fiction, Liz writes both fiction and nonfiction and Jill, nonfiction, fiction and allegories.
What surprises me about liking their books is the fact that I do like fiction writing. I will tell you why that surprises me. For so many years, all that I would read was nonfiction, with practically no interest in fiction. But with these authors and others, I have broadened my repertoire.
I see that fiction books are not much different than the parables that Jesus taught. They use the power of imagination to open up our minds to truth and the Word of God.
Perhaps the number one book from this group of authors would be Francine River’s Book, “Redeeming Love”. I think I have read it three times and just received another copy to replace the one I gave away.
It is a story based on the book of Hosea, which is of course about the Lord’s steadfast Love of His Bride, the Church. (Each and every believer)
I liken this book’s influence similar to listening to a song. With a song, barriers of fear and a misunderstanding of the Lord’s steadfast faithfulness to His bride can be demolished. Listening to a song and it having a powerful effect of us is because the words and/or the tune are like an arrow that pierces the deepest parts of our heart.
I mentioned in a previous blog, that my life scripture, which I go to, again and again is Hebrews 13:5…”I will NEVER leave you or forsake you”
“Redeeming Love” emphasizes this type of love. Michael Hosea, one of the main characters is based on Hosea (who represents the Lord). Michael Hosea and his unwavering love for his wife Gomer is exemplified clearly in the book. Gomer’s character is called, Angel and she represents us, the Bride of Christ.
The story take place in the 1850’s during the Gold Rush,
What first attracted me to Francine as an author? It was her testimony.
She had been brought up in a religious home, received Jesus into her heart as a child and yet He did not become Lord in her life, until she was well into adulthood, with a husband and three children.
Previously she had a very successful career in the secular book market, being a romance author, for almost ten years. She received many accolades and awards during that time.
When she returned to the Lord, she laid down her writing for a season, as she realized that it had become an idol to her.
In church, she sat under good expository teaching that explained the historical context of what the scriptures were saying. She became seeped in the Word of God.
Redeeming Love was the first novel she wrote, after the Lord became number one in her life.
I like that Francine writes fiction for reasons beyond imagination. She always has a Biblical theme in mind when she writes.
In her own words, she “uses her writing to draw closer to the Lord and that through her work, she might worship and praise Jesus for all He has done and is doing in her life.”
And we know that the bread that we have been given like she has, is the very thing we now have to distribute to the world.
I would recommend visiting her website to get a sense of her style, what she writes and how she has been given a gift of being able to revamp a talent, now to be used for the glory of God.
We are exploring what livelihood that we would have like to have practiced, if we lived in Biblical Times.
Immediately I thought, I would want to be an artisan.
That said…we can have 2 jobs, right???
I remembered a quiet and noble occupation. It is being seamstress. A woman in Acts 9, by the name of Dorcas/Tabitha was one.( Dorcas was her Jewish name and Tabitha was her Greek name. They both meant gazelle.)
The fact that she is mentioned is monumental, because a woman living in those times, were not noted often.
Her occupation is one thing but an amazing miracle in her life is another.
We will look at both.
Pondering the seamstress part, some fond memories of my own mother come to light.
My mom was a Seamstress.
Assuredly, my mom would object to that title and say something like, “I just sew…I am not a seamstress.”
Au contraire…
Most of her working experience was doing the job of a seamstress.
As a young woman, she worked at a mattress factory. Her and my Aunt Jean came up with an ingenious way to use the leftover material in the factory. They made slippers. The boss allowed them to use the “scraps” and in that, it helped families during the Depression.
Next, when her children were older, she was as a seamstress in a Coat Factory. Once a season, we were allowed to go into the factory and choose a new coat, at a much reduced price.
Having something brand new was awesome. I was so proud of her.
When I became a Girl Scout, she helped me with my first sewing project. It was a beach bag, complete with grommets.
To further my instruction, I learned how to choose a clothing pattern, the suitable material and notions. She patiently showed me how to pin a pattern onto the cloth and cut it successfully. It was then ready to sew into a garment.
Most of her sewing included mending. It could seem mindless on the outside, but was useful in the economic times.
She took an Adult School class and made a slipcover for our sofa. I was pretty amazed.
One part of sewing that she also showed me is hand sewing. Whether it is sewing hems, doing repairs, sewing on buttons or even embroidery (which is really fancy hand sewn stitches)…it is not a chore for me, but it brings me relaxation and peace. I think of hand sewing as a Gentle Art.
So, Dorcas was one who sewed.
We can be sure she didn’t have a computerized sewing machine but did hand sewing. I even read about her being referred to as the “Queen of the Needle”.
The other thing about Dorcas is that she reached out to others and was well loved because of her giving and loving nature.
My mom was the same.
When Dorcas actually dies, those who loved her, are grieving about losing her. They even send for Peter to come to Joppa.
I wonder.
Did they call him to pray over her body, as a benediction or ritual? Where they even expecting the miracle of her being raised from the dead? Or just a crying out seeped in hopelessness?.
Think one minute with me, about someone very dear to you who has died. You call your Pastor, thinking he/she will provide prayer and comfort. They come and send everyone out of the room and pray for your loved one.
(In those days and even now in eastern countries, people are loud when they grieve. They are not hushed up. There is no “NO-LOUD GRIEVING POLICE” to stare or tsk-tsk at people.)
Her friends must have been making a lot of noise. So the fact that Peter sent them out may have been as simple as him saying to himself “I can’t think straight with all of this noise!!”
A short time later, with a big smile on his face, he opens the door and says “Friends come in and see your Tabitha sitting up. Someone get her a glass of water. Your mourning has turned to joy.”
It doesn’t say it, but I don’t think it’s a stretch to think they yelled loud and made a “joyful noise”.
I like that Dorcas is a seamstress. I like that she is a giver and a compassionate woman. Her occupation seems to go beyond making the buck.
AND…who knew? She would be raised from the dead!!!
I’ll be in the front of the line if God wants to raise me from the dead because He has more for me to do.
I also am right there and willing to pray for another to be raised up from the dead.
SEW???
What about you?
Are you up for praying for the dead?
Are you believing that you could be raised?
I will never leave you or forsake you …Hebrews 13:5
I am not sure when I first heard about this, but someone asked me what my Life Scripture was. She explained that it was a personal “go to” scripture, which the Lord quickens to your spirit. She also said that throughout her life, her particular scripture was used, time after time to bring her comfort and reassurance from the Lord.
I wanted everything that God wanted to give me, so I prayed and asked the Lord for my Life Scripture.
The above Scripture was what came to mind. 30 plus years later, I can attest to the fact that the Lord did give me a Rhema Word that has been life giving, time after time after time.
So, this as we are talking this week, about what we had misunderstood about the Lord’s nature, it comes back to this scripture for me.
To tell you the truth, I thought it was a good one,when I got it, but not extraordinary. I could remember, early on seeking the Bible to see if I could find a better one. That was not a bad thing to do, per se, but that is not what the Lord gave me when I first asked.
Did you ever do that? The Lord answers a prayer or a request and you say “Lord, is that what you really meant?” and then proceed to look for something different? Probably most of us have.
I have to admit that there have been many times that I wondered, do I really worry that the Lord is going to leave me? Have I always been fearful about that? It surprised me a little.
We've so often based our perceptions on our Father God’s nature, not only on our earthy father’s nature but on our mother’s as well. Our parents have been joined as one.
That only makes sense, as Adam was created in God’s image. The totality of who God was fully resident in Adam. When Eve was fashioned by God, as she was taken out of Adam, they TOGETHER are the full image of God.
Over the years, I see just how much I needed to know that God would always be with me.
Without going into specific details, I believe I was led to believe that I would be “left behind” by important people in my life. It wasn’t a literal walking away, which sadly happens too often to some children, but it was a sense of love being withdrawn. I felt like, I would be loved and enjoy the presence of people who I looked up to…unless…I was not perfect or if I disappointed them. Then, I would be left alone.
We know words, positive and negative, have tremendous power. I can still feel the sting of being told, when I was very young, after I had done something wrong….” out of all of the children, I least expected this ( bad behavior) from you”
Ouch! That just about crushed me. As young as I was, I interpreted that as a departure. It also seemed so insurmountable to be this good little girl, that I was expected to be. From that statement, I learned that somehow, I was held to a higher standard than others, at least in this person’s mind.
You know how we have the tendency to be told 999 plus times, we are doing a good job, but there can be that one negative remark that just does us in?
My heart, even now, almost faints at the thought of being left behind by the One I love so dearly
As I write this, I take comfort that God, unequivocally promises me, He is different. He will never ever leave me or forsake me, no matter what. I need to know that deep into the very core of my being. And not just once, but time and time again.
No, because the Lord says...
"Do you think anyone is going to be able to drive a wedge between you and me and My love for you? There is no way! Not trouble, not hard times, not hatred, not hunger, not homelessness, not bullying threats, not backstabbing, not even the worst sins listed in Scripture:"
"None of this fazes me because I LOVE YOU! So, be absolutely convinced that nothing—nothing living or dead, angelic or demonic, today or tomorrow, high or low, thinkable or unthinkable—absolutely nothing can get between My love for you because of the way that I embrace you and accept you and love you." The Message …Romans 8:38-39
( paraphrased)
And in this, the Lord answers my silent cries.
Let me explain the title.
When we quote John 3:16 “Go so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever shall believe in Him will not perish but have eternal life.” we see the word WORLD and think of the masses. Is it not true that until the Word pierces our heart, personally, it can be dismissed with thinking “Oh yea…I know that God loves the world. Yep, I know that."
But it becomes life changing ,when we realize”He loves ME!”
This truth makes my heart leap still.
Years ago, I was focusing my prayers the Middle East. Then I was transported … my thoughts? In the spirit? I don’t know. I found myself seeing a Muslim woman Her face not fully covered, so I could see her injuries. She had been badly beaten and she actually had some of her teeth knocked out. I “knew” her name (It sounded like Betina) So I spoke her name and prayed a prayer specifically for her.
I remember thinking…Lord, you know her by name. That prayer was addressing her need personally.
I had never experienced anything like that before.
Another time I was praying, I was as if I was flying…on an eagle? like an eagle? I don’t know which.
I was going over the United States and praying, as the Holy Spirit led. Suddenly we were above New England.
Quickly the speed and direction changed and we flew straight down. The flight path was strategic and narrowly focused.
Where we had been high over New England, we were now headed into the heart of Maine, into the deep woods.
I “knew” by revelation of the Holy Spirit that this prayer was targeted for a man who lived in a cabin. The Lord chose to touch this man…that day and in way, only God can understand.
All I know is that the Lord pierced that man’s heart with a revelation of His love, which this man had heretofore never considered.
Now how does all of this bring me to a most memorable Christmas, that I experienced?
I have written about this before but I don’t tire of telling my testimony because this part is a miracle of Christmas.
It is about LIGHT piercing the DARKNESS, not only over mankind, but being targeted towards a scared, unwed and pregnant teenage girl, who lived in New Britain CT.
It didn’t happen in a church or a temple and the messenger he used was unusual.
She is a Jewish woman, by birth.
She is considered a great star.
The Christmas songs, in which she sang about THE Star, were what awakened me to the realization that life was worth living.
To her they may have just been words on the page…to me they were words of life.
Her name is Barbra Streisand.
Through her voice and music, God used her to break through the darkness that entombed my soul.
Hope exploded in its place like an array of fireworks.
Despair was left in ashes.
Emmanuel…the One she sang about, came!
Yes He came.
He came for ME!
Just like He came for the beaten Middle Eastern Woman. He wanted her to know…” I came for YOU!”
That lonely man, in the cabin of Maine may have thought “no one cares if I live or die”, but God knew right where that man was living. He knew, no only his physical location but the location of where his soul was.
Yes Emmanuel shouted into the woods of Maine…” I came for YOU’
So He came into my crowded apartment one winter.
He sang. He sang over me songs of deliverance, using the voice of one of His own.
Won’t you join me in prayer that Barbra, who at least seems to be uninterested in the true God, will nevertheless be found by Him?
Let’s pray that the day comes, that the final arrow of Love, will demolish all the lies.
May all her walls of fear and all the fortresses of self protection be obliterated.
May she come to know You Lord… as her Yeshua HaMashiach.
This collage of memories of Christmas has, as many of you, I’ve had, joy filled moments and those that are tinged with sorrow and pain. Both ends of the spectrum touch us all.
Topping my list would be a meaningful tradition that was and still is observed. It sharing of the Oplatek (Oh-pwa-tech) on Christmas Eve. It is a Polish Tradition.
During the evening, the oldest of the family, has a plate with the Oplatek (the wafer). The Oplatek symbolizes Christ’s body being broken for us. They approach another person and extend the Oplatek to them. Speaking words of affirmation and blessing, they break the wafer simultaneously. They each, then partake of it. The recipient returns the gesture. This is repeated until the entire group has blessed one another.
Losing a loved one around Christmas is extremely painful. The families of the recently murdered innocents in the Newtown CT massacre have an unspeakable horror to deal with. It will forever taint their Holidays. I lost a brother and a son due to tragic deaths, close to Christmas and the emptiness remains. Others have lost loved ones and memories may be bittersweet.
When I was old enough, to be able to purchase gifts for my youngest brothers, I carved out a memory. The circumstances in our home were such that, we did not get gifts from our parents or Santa. I wanted them to be able to return to school to have something to say, when gifts were discussed.
One year, my paternal grandfather would be home alone on Christmas Eve, as he was ill. I couldn’t accept that he would be alone, so I volunteered to be with him, forgoing the celebration. It filled me with the satisfaction of putting the needs of another, first.
Sometimes, too much food, unrealistic expectations, unhealed relationships, fueled by too much to drink, could taint the hoped for Silent Night. Too many families experience this. I praise God for the healing in my own family, as well as a prayer that others can experience freedom and peace that comes with New Life.
In recent years, my husband and my family have been involved in certain clandestine operations, to bless others around the Holidays.
When our children were young, we filled bags with presents and goodies and left them, without tags, on doorsteps or on mailbox hooks, as a way to say to others, “You are not forgotten.”
We have sent cards, including money, with the signature line, saying “Jesus loves you”
In the last 2 years, I have taken 3- $20 and went out in public to give a $20 bill to 3 people. It was a Giving Adventure. At first, I thought the amount that I was giving was too little, but then realized we were giving what we could.
I asked God to point out the people He wanted to bless.
The first year, I remember a young mother who got tears in her eyes. She was paying for her groceries and exclaimed “You have no idea what this means!” (But God did!)
Two other recipients from last year come to mind.
One was a disheveled man. At the counter of a store, he had asked for a product. The cashier misunderstood him. When the item was placed on the counter, he sheepishly tried to tell her of her error. She treated him with disdain and loudly criticized him. I and the other shoppers just looked at one another with disbelief.
When he left the line, I went over to him and handed him a $20 bill, telling him about the Lord wanting to bless him. I also mentioned that the Lord specifically pointed him out to me. I told him how much the Lord loved him. Though I will never know this man’s full story, but from appearances, I gathered his life was not easy.
Another day, a couple was behind me in line at Goodwill. Thrift Stores
As I started to leave, I felt the prompting of the Holy Spirit; to give the next $20 to them They were Spanish. The man spoke with the little English that he knew. I tried to explain to him the best I could that this was a free gift, with no strings attached. He looked puzzled, but eventually accepted the money. He then kind of bowed to me.
I walked to my car, but soon realized that I had to go back. I wanted them to understand that this gift was from God. So with a little Spanish, that I know and lots of hand gestures, I pointed to my heart to their hearts and then to the sky…they got it!
Then they nodded and smiled and we ALL started to cry!
It became a Holy Moment in this thrift store.
Somehow, I can imagine that the Lord did the same. He nodded, smiled and even start to weep.
He may have then said to the angels about all of us.
“They get it! By golly, they really get it!”
“They got a glimpse of my Love.”
Did you ever feel that the Lord is just chuckling as He watches you?
I do.
I had, with reservation, started to go to a Women’s Bible Study. This was still all new to me. I wasn’t sure about it all and was suspicious. Were they were going to lead me down a heretical path? Surprisingly, the Bible Study was interesting. So far so good.
My friend, Linda knew that I was going to ask Jesus into my heart, on a certain morning. I went to a Christian Women’s Breakfast. However, He told her not to go, as she would “get in the way.” I remember, on the drive home, I wept deeply, realizing just how much I was loved.
It was another huge step in the progression of my faith journey.
Shortly later, she invited me to another Christian Women’s Breakfast. I agreed as I was feeling more comfortable.
The first event, I would liken to a Women’s Tea. Everything was lovely, from the table decorations to the conversations.
This new one was different.
It was a Charismatic group.
My fears were heightened.It was a little nerve wracking talking to strangers, but it started OK.
Then things started to get totally out of hand, as far as I was concerned.
It became time for Praise and Worship.
We all stood.
The songs they sang were unfamiliar. They were not singing Agnus Dei.
The tempo started out lively AND many women were clapping!
To make matters worse, when the music got slower, some even raised their hands!
“Oh boy, this is a cult. I am sure of it.” I thought
I thought “Get me out of here!”
I felt I stepped into a strange place or was it a place with strange people?
I was ready to run out of the room and drive home. The problem was, I was not driving.
When that was over, I was never so glad to be seated again. At least I wasn’t going to pass out from fright.
The speaker was a Preacher from England. His tone and his manner calmed me down.
His sermon was about the women who arrived first, at the tomb of Jesus, on Easter morning.
8 Then the women remembered his words, 9 returned from the tomb, and told all these things to the eleven disciples and all the rest. 10 The women were Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Mary the mother of James; they and the other women with them told these things to the apostles.11 But the apostles thought that what the women said was nonsense, and they did not believe them…Luke 24…Good News Translation.
Having known very little about Bible stories, I was intrigued to learn about this episode.
What became the “take away” for me was that he elevated the women in the story. It was as if he took special consideration that women were the first witnesses to this monumental event. And in that, they became, to him, noteworthy. They didn’t realize Jesus had risen from the dead. They only knew that the grave was empty.
He also noted, when they ran to tell the disciples, it seemed like they might not have been believed. He explained, in those days, women had very little importance. He wondered if it had been a man reporting, would their news been more readily accepted?
The Preacher’s perspective interested me. Here was a man, who was clergy, and he was looking at other men with attitudes. He seemed chagrined that they might have diminished the women’s credibility, based only on the fact that they were women.
Up until that point, I didn’t realize that I also thought that women had very little role in religious life.
I sincerely wanted to be a nun, because I longed to be closer to God. I saw that as the only path for that to happen.
So that day, in the midst of what I thought was “craziness”, I came away with a sense that, as a woman, I was important to God and that He didn’t ignore me.
As my faith matured, I would realize the truth of the scripture that says that in Christ, there is neither male nor female.
There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female…Galatians 3:28
I have not been one to want to usurp men’s position, but deep inside I always had a sense that it couldn’t be all one sided.
That day, the preacher from England, opened up the door of possibility, that women were not only important, but essential.
That sermon became a springboard on which I was able to put myself right in the center of the greatest Story of all.
Growing up, I attended a Catholic School and so my religious education took place as part of the curriculum.
I do remember studying the Catechism, but not studying the Bible. It was never mentioned or offered in those years.
While attending Mass, the Catholic Sunday Service, there is a part of the Mass, when the priest reads a portion from the Bible. He reads one portion from the Old Testament and another portion from the New Testament. Then he gave what was called a Homily, which is kind of like a sermon or teaching on what he just read.
I distinctly remembered thinking, “let’s get over the readings before the talk.* and let’s get to the good stuff.”
The sermon/homily was the better part, as far as I was concerned.
*It actually took me many years to realize that these portions of the readings, were from the Bible and were quite important.
The only Bible, I had ever seen in our home, was a huge Family Bible. It usually sat on an end table in the Living Room. A far as I know, it was never read. I remember casually looking at it and wondering why all the information was not filled out. You know information like marriages, births etc.
As an adult, I was introduced to the Bible, in a more personal manner. My new southern friend, Linda invited me to a Bible Study.
I politely refused her many times.
One day I said OK and was immediately filled with fear and anxiety. I not only knew so little about the Bible, but these women seemed like they were all Protestants. Who knew what heresies they would try to teach me?
Still, I wasn’t too taken aback by the study part, as I really liked Linda and I was sure that she understood my lack of knowledge. I trusted that she would do me no harm.
The women welcomed me and I generally felt accepted. However, I must admit that I was still a little nervous about being with these Protestant women. We were warned about taking part in non-Catholic services.
Linda purchased my first Bible. Doing that, she followed specific instructions that the Lord gave her. He told her, “Buy Linda (me) a Bible, but it has to be a Catholic Bible, as she will not accept one that isn’t Catholic.”
That was 100% accurate.
So I continued meeting weekly with these women with my very own Bible.
I remember an incident from the early days of that Bible Study Group.
Ruth, our leader, was hospitalized. During her recuperation, we each volunteered to go over in an afternoon to keep her company.
When I was with her, we had a pleasant conversation. I didn’t feel uncomfortable, even though I only knew her for a short while.
In the course of our visit, I told her that I had prayed and asked the Lord for something to read to her from my Bible, to encourage her. So I did. She seemed to be appreciative of the entire visit.
It wasn’t until many years later, that I realized I had read a portion of the Apocrypha, which of course is included in Catholic Bibles, but not in Protestant ones.
While contemplating that, I was so impressed that Ruth, who was Protestant, through and through said nothing except thanks. Her ancestry being from England, was of a solid New England Protestant.
She must have seen that my reading, of that portion of scripture, came from a giving heart. She was not about to get into a theological discussion about whether the Apocrypha was valid. She didn’t use it as an opening to “correct” me.
That wasn’t a sermon per se, but it really was.
You have heard the quote “Preach the Gospel at all times, if necessary use words.”
This was a perfect example of that being lived out.
It taught me more than any others, who may have had degrees and letters, ad infinitum behind their name.
She was a teacher, par excellence. Maybe not in the formal sense, but that day, she taught me through her actions, how to live out the words of the Gospel. There wasn’t a little chime that rang along with an announcement…”practical application!” Yet there it was…the word becoming flesh.
She travelled on the higher road.
She picked the better way.
She had chosen not to educate me or diminish my intention.
She exercised a measure of humility that day.
I left her house, feeling the pleasure of giving of myself to another human being.
She made that completely possible, through her silence.
The right exegesis didn’t trump that day….rather LOVE did!
Earlier this week, I started a draft of my blog.
Distraction, I asked? I can certainly identify. I laughed and said “ Distraction? Let me count the ways” I try to laugh about this, but I think sometimes it is an attempt to cover the pain I have experienced with this issue.
I was diagnosed with ADD as an adult, and that revelation answered many questions, I had. My struggles with school work and in later years had an explanation. I could distinctly remember feeling like I “should” be able to do a test or activity and yet so many times, I fell short. Why?
The big difference between my first draft and what I am writing now is that the Lord has given me a better perspective.
Instead of saying ADD stands for Attention Deficit Disorder, I am going to say it stands for A Different Dilemma. Getting victory seemed insurmountable. But by changing a word from disorder to dilemma, opens up the possibility to change.
The scripture” I can do ALL things through Christ, who strengthens me”, does not say all things, except ADD.
Having this distractive nature has been kind of a thorn in my flesh. But as Paul did, I have asked it to be removed many times. Instead the Lord has offered me grace. Not only grace has He given me, but grace that is sufficient.
My quiet times are probably not similar to many others. I cannot do the same ole’, same ole’, day after day, after day. I need to have variety. I can think of a lot of ways to worship the Lord. As a few of you have noted, worship need not be relegated to a particular time slot. It is a matter of a worshipful lifestyle.
I have an ongoing, day long conversation with the Lord. Sometimes, the listening part on my end can go awry. I have to say WHOA…” Earth to Linda” and go on to refocus what is before me.
I have been reminded, in the past few days, just how much music nourishes my soul. Whether it is contemporary music or old hymns, it quiets my soul and turns my eyes to beholding the Lord. This is part of the remedy to learn and to focus and to quiet myself down.
What I am asking of the Lord, is to be made more cognizant of when I go off with my 300 thoughts and new ideas. I want to learn to say STOP!!! And even sometimes to say NO!!! To things that are brought before me.
I also know that face book, the internet, emails and my computer are not always my friend. My time in technology land takes chunks out of time, which can be well spent, doing some productive things. I think I need to whittle down my time even further, than I have recently.
The Lord, once again came through for me. He readjusted my thoughts and my attitude and bolstered me with hope.
He opened up the scriptures, so that I could have a positive take on this entire subject, instead of belying the fact, that I have this condition.
He reminded me of making lists, which has always helped me. (One thing I should note though. When I am giving myself a time estimation of how long a project will take, I NOW multiply it by three times)., I have discovered that adjustment from all the times of underestimating.
He reignited my desire to take a siesta or two, during the day to relax with Him and just enjoy His company with music.
I even thought, I could call up my friend Chris. She “suffers” from the same distractive nature. We do not have to explain that to one another…we just know…we just understand. What usually happens is, we laugh our heads off, at the quirkiness of it all. Not everyone understands the “code” we speak in, but I thank God that He has embedded a few people in my life, who struggle as I do.
I also have become cognizant again, that when I behold Jesus face to face, the encounter will render me undone. Looking away will be impossible, as He alone will keep my attention steady.
I long for the day, that I will totally loose myself, into the pool of His eyes, which only speak of love and acceptance.
