The Ocean and A Day at Work

Are you making plans to head to the ocean this summer? It is going to be almost hot for us over the next few days so that is on my mind. Here is a statement I came across that led me to thinking about the ocean and about work, 'We have deep sea potential yet we live life in the shallow end.’

Is it possible some of us don't see our God-given potential? Do some of us for one reason or another become so afraid that we stand at the edge of the ocean, content with getting our big toes wet? Do we get disappointed with life’s little bumps or do we keep walking, knowing that God will renew our strength and overflow His power and grace in our lives.

Recently I was presented with an opportunity to grow and challenge myself, you know, get my toes wet. I use to call challenges adventures but I have gotten more 'mature' ( I prefer that word to older) and don't find the word adventure works anymore.

Remember when our church did the Bruce Wilkinson studies? Remember when we prayed the prayer of Jabez and meant it but when the Lord DID enlarge our territory, how did you handle that? Were the first words out of your mouth, (after you caught your breath), Lord, I didn't mean that large, You are far too generous.

That was the feeling that flowed through me when asked on Monday to do a task I had signed up to do. Well, not actually. I am on the list for certain tasks but neglected to specify what tasks might be well suited to me, ;) assuming that task would NEVER present itself.

I was asked the question first thing in the morning and it was a Monday no less. No time to ease into it.

I thought a few hours had passed while the 'asker' was waiting for a response from me, because I do think I saw my life flash before my eyes, I scanned my brain for every other option there might be.

Then the light bulb went off.

There was another staff nearby that was so much more qualified than I for that very task! Perfect I thought. With a confident smile I offered that very helpful and courteous information. Afterall, I was responding in a biblical manner -- try and stay with me - Moses asked the Lord to send someone else, why couldn't I?

The 'asker' did not smile the same smile I had and asked me to wait there while she phoned to see if that might be possible.

From my end of the phone conversation I could hear I was going to be the task person. She hadn't hung up yet....wasn't there time to have a sudden tummy ache? Surely my childhood had several "I can't do it" responses I could recall.

Nothing came to mind.

My sense of not letting others down welled up within me and I accepted. I needed to get my feet wet, and get out of the shallow end. As I walked off I was not sure if the 'asker' could hear the "Danger Will Robinson" statement that was playing over and over in my head.

There I was, walking as if I had all the confidence in the world in myself and the situation I was just given, feeling, well....lost in space.

On the way to my destination - my walk - I didn't think, dead man walking, but I did have a conversation with the Lord, He is always with me so why not! "Someone's not hearing right or something!" Before that last word was out of my mouth I heard another statement. 'That's right'

Somehow I knew it was me that was not hearing right.

It wasn't like I was thrown into the lions den, (that vision came up from time to time throughout the day). I asked for the challenge, now was I ready as I thought to deal with it?

Elijah ran from the threats of Jezebel when God had already given him great spiritual victories. Moses was not immediately interested in dealing with Pharoah. Jonah did not want to face the Ninevites.

I was called, I was there. Jump in with both feet, don't stop at the toes! Somewhere between computer lab and lunch I dove into the unknown waters. God never fails to surprise me; never fails to bring me to new places where I can grow. All in all it was truly a great experience.

God reminded me that faith knows no fear. There were moments in the day where I had what you would call fear. Actually to be precise, perfect love knows no fear. Of whom shall I be afraid?

The journey and walk continue on, and growth only comes through new challenges and experiences.

Romans 8

26So too the Holy Spirit comes to our aid and bears us up in our weakness; for we do not know what prayer to offer nor how to offer it worthily as we ought, but the Spirit Himself goes to meet our supplication and pleads in our behalf with unspeakable yearnings and groanings too deep for utterance.

27And He Who searches the hearts of men knows what is in the mind of the Holy Spirit [what His intent is, because the Spirit intercedes and pleads before God in behalf of the saints according to and in harmony with God's will.

28We are assured and know that God being a partner in their labor all things work together and are fitting into a plan for good to and for those who love God and are called according to His design and purpose.

29For those whom He foreknew of whom He was aware and loved beforehand, He also destined from the beginning foreordaining them to be molded into the image of His Son and share inwardly His likeness, that He might become the firstborn among many brethren.

30And those whom He thus foreordained, He also called; and those whom He called, He also justified (acquitted, made righteous, putting them into right standing with Himself). And those whom He justified, He also glorified raising them to a heavenly dignity and condition or state of being.

31What then shall we say to all this? If God is for us, who can be against us? Who can be our foe, if God is on our side?

32He who did not withhold or spare even His own Son but gave Him up for us all, will He not also with Him freely and graciously give us all other things?

33Who shall bring any charge against God's elect when it is God Who justifies that is, Who puts us in right relation to Himself? Who shall come forward and accuse or impeach those whom God has chosen? Will God, Who acquits us?

34Who is there to condemn us? Will Christ Jesus the Messiah, Who died, or rather Who was raised from the dead, Who is at the right hand of God actually pleading as He intercedes for us?

35Who shall ever separate us from Christ's love? Shall suffering and affliction and tribulation? Or calamity and distress? Or persecution or hunger or destitution or peril or sword?

36Even as it is written, For Thy sake we are put to death all the day long; we are regarded and counted as sheep for the slaughter.

37Yet amid all these things we are more than conquerors and gain a surpassing victory through Him Who loved us.

38For I am persuaded beyond doubt am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities, nor things impending and threatening nor things to come, nor powers,

39Nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

John 8

That is where you can read the story of the woman caught in adultery and receives forgiveness from Jesus. After His writing on the sand, Jesus said 'Neither do I condemn you. Go now, and leave your life of sin.'

He met her at her point of need.

Imagine her shame, in a time where such sin was punishable by death, and her captors were waiting in the sidelines to stone her, to tear her apart. Imagine her guilt, deep down she may already be torn to pieces by her very own condemnation.

But He gave her forgiveness, and as she walked away, I think she was a free woman. Set free from her past, into a new future. From darkness into light. Isn't that our identity and destiny, the moment we cross that line, we receive forgiveness and we walk into a future full of light and the glory of God shining on our faces.

Still, many of us have to learn to forgive ourselves. How many of us still hold on to that tiny stone of condemnation? How prideful we are, that even when God forgives us, we still refuse to forgive ourselves. We still think: I can never be good enough. But the Bible says: 'The King is enthralled by your beauty; honour him, for He is your Lord'. (Psa 45:11) This isn't outward beauty; it's your inner soul, mind, and heart. Forgive those who have hurt you or done you wrong, and most importantly, forgive yourself. Be led in with joy and gladness; enter the palace of the King.

Forgive Yourself

There's no such thing as sin so bad

That God would turn away so mad.

When your dded is not your best,

It doesn't mean you failed the test.

God's way is not to give a score;

Just learn from what you've done before.

Change your thought, disown that deed;

To change your world, that's all you need.

The less than perfect things you do

Are simply you experiencing you.

So, forgive yourself, forget the sin,

Guilt and shame should never win.

Move on in life, look back no more;

On that behavior, close the door.

Know that before any deed is done

He has forgiven every one.

Learn from it, then change your course;

There's nothing gained from your remorse,

Fear not that there's a judgment due;

God's love for you is forever true.

Martha Switzer

Hopping

No, it wasn't an error, I really did say hopping, not hoping, although I am hoping things will slow down. I feel like things have been on overdrive for several months now.

I have the summer off from work to refresh and regroup and should not complain as others even work weekends! Bosses don't seem to care if it is a weekend or sunny day. boo hoo

However, lately, maybe because it is the end of the school year, things have been super busy. One of my sons is going to drivers training so there is the extra time of trips back and forth to school and remembering what nights. Another goes to Spanish class given by the Mossyrock Action League two nights a week. Again, remembering the nights and getting him there and back.

Along with my job position changing again. It changed about two months ago but now they are changing it again. I am not the only one, all of us are involved in the changes. Change is hard enough to adjust to but two in one school year!!

Don't sit back, I have more.

One of my sons is going to be homeschooled. That will be a challenge.

A medication Keith is taking (he takes 5 daily since his heart attack) has been recalled and won't be back on the market for two months. There is only one replacement but they give it out 10 pills at a time and the amount the pharmacy has is limited so by the time I got there they were all gone.

May has arrived and my above ground garden is not put in yet.

Brian is going to be a senior next year so there is much to do for that, getting senior pictures, going to check out colleges, etc.

Corey is coming home for Christmas this year. Even though it is months away we have not seen him in a few years so we are talking together often as a family, how to make it super special for him. In case you lost track, he is in Texas, now living in Ft. Worth. He is an apprentice electrician. His girlfriend Gabe, has graduated from college and got a job at an oil company in Ft. Worth also. Even though she lives in Dallas they can see each other on weekends and maybe a coffee break or two.

This was a three day weekend for me. I was glad. I took time on Friday to take a deep breath. I thought about how the woman in 2 Kings 4:26 said "Everything is all right'. Ok God, You are in control. I made lists of things I wanted to do, things I needed to do and things still on my mind.

Easy enough to check off the mind sweep list. Though I kept worrying about those things lingering on my mind, my heart kept saying, it is ok. And I chose to believe it!

I remember once again, that God is really 'God of wonders', and He proves himself true at every corner. Zechariah 4:6 says 'Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord Almighty.'

I took time to look back over the past several months. I saw how God has been working, putting things together by His hand. I feel a deep assurance of God's hand working in each and every situation in my life. No matter where He leads me, no matter what today or tomorrow holds, I give Him full control. I say that with assurance, knowing the Lord's plan is the best.

Happy Mother's Day

That Wonderful Mother of Mine

The moon never beams without bringing me dreams

Of that wonderful mother of mine.
The birds never sing but a message they bring

Of that wonderful mother of mine.
Just to bring back the time,

that was so sweet to me,

Just to bring back the days,

when I sat on her knee.
I pray ev'ry night to our Father above,

For that wonderful mother of mine.
I ask Him to keep her as long as He can

That -- wonderful mother of mine.
There are treasures on earth,

that made life seem worthwhile,

But there's none can compare to my mother's smile.
You are a wonderful mother,

dear old Mother of mine.

You'll hold a spot down deep in my heart,
'Till the stars no longer shine.

Your soul shall live on forever,
On through the fields of time.

For there'll never be another to me,

Like that wonderful Mother of mine.

Wonderful Mother

God made a wonderful mother,

A mother who never grows old;
He made her smile of the sunshine,

And He moulded her heart of pure gold;
In her eyes He placed bright shining stars,

In her cheeks fair roses you see;
God made a wonderful mother,

And He gave that dear mother to me.

Night And Morning

The morning sits outside afraid

Until my mother draws the shade;

Then it bursts in like a ball,

Splashing sun all up the wall.

And the evening is not night

Until she's tucked me in just right

And kissed me and turned out the light.

Oh, if my mother went away

Who would start the night and day?

...Dorothy Aldis

Things Mother's Learn

I gave you life, but cannot live it for you.

I can give you directions, but I cannot be there to lead you.

I can allow you freedom, but I cannot account for it.

I can teach you right from wrong, but I cannot decide for you.

I can offer you advice, but I cannot accept it for you.

I can give you love, but I cannot force it upon you.

I can teach you to share, but I cannot make you unselfish.

I can teach you respect, but I cannot force you to show honor.

I can advise you about friends, but cannot choose them for you.

I can advise you about sex, but I cannot keep you pure.

I can tell you about drink, but I can't say "no" for you.

I can warn you about drugs, but I can't prevent you from using them.

I can tell you about lofty goals, but I can't achieve them for you.

I can teach you about kindness, but I can't force you to be gracious.

I can pray for you, but I cannot make you walk with God.

I can tell you how to live, but I cannot give you eternal life.

...Author Unknown