It Takes a While

The same child, now all grown up, who routinely asked me to stop a block away when I drove her to school so that she wouldn’t be seen with me, told me the other day, “Mom, I’m proud of you.” She named several of my achievements: returning to school, working two jobs when necessary, and parenting her as a single mom. She compared me to some adults she knows who are not doing much of anything, and said again that she was proud of me.

If you’re parenting an ungrateful child—most of them are during some portion of their years—just be patient. I thought maybe the thanks would never come at all.

Sometimes it takes a while.

MaryMartha

Art: http:www.sxc.hu/

Please Help Me

I told a friend that I had pleaded with God for help on a pressing issue, and her reply was, “You don’t need to beg God.”

That’s true, and I know I don’t. He is not like the judge in the Bible parable who initially refused to help a poor widow. He was unmerciful, but she wore him down with her continued begging until finally he relented. God is ready to hear. In fact, before they [God’s people] call, I will answer; while they are still speaking I will hear.” (Isaiah 65:24)

There may be another aspect to examine. While we do not convince God to hear us by our earnest praying, we ourselves may profit from the exercise of our spiritual muscles. During a time of extreme financial stress, I prayed intensely, “Please give me a miracle or a workable plan. Please! Please!” I learned then to wait until it was God’s time, and the “door” swung open easily. Had I not been so desperate, had I prayed more casually, perhaps I would not have been so expectant, failing to recognize that God was at work engineering the answer that eventually filled the need so well.

I know a couple who had a wayward son. They could have sat in their easy chairs and prayed, “Help Jimmy come back to Your way.” But at one particularly crucial point, they lay on the floor, sobbing, “Oh God! Keep Jimmy! Oh God! Help Jimmy!” God hears the lowest whisper, but their own brokenness made them know they had touched God for their child.

“Surely the arm of the LORD is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear.” Isaiah 59:1

MaryMartha
Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®. NIV®. Copyright©1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.

Water for the Thirsty

Kansas has had an exceptionally hot and dry summer. Where I live, we entered the season with a rain deficit from early spring, and had almost no rain in July. I tried to water the plantings next to the house enough to stay green, but I had a “KFC” lawn—extra-crispy.

We finally had some rain about a week ago. I was so excited and grateful, I opened the window and let it blow in on my face! Even with that limited moisture, the grass greened up and began to look alive again. The birds and squirrels whose ready access to water had been limited to the little pool I provided for them, drank from rivers flowing in the gutters. (Although that didn’t last long!)

I am reminded how vital water is, and how much I use it. Fortunately, our City has adequate sources of suitable water, and our use was not curtailed except voluntarily. I try not to waste it carelessly though, recognizing that over a billion people throughout the world lack access to clean water in sufficient supply. (U.S. Center for Disease Control)

When I think of our need for water, I think too of the Water of Life. It is always in abundant supply. Jesus promised, “I am the Alpha and the Omega—the Beginning and the End. To all who are thirsty I will give freely from the springs of the water of life.” (Revelation 21:6 NLT) There is a thirst in the human heart that He is ready to quench, and that only He can!

MaryMartha

Scripture quotation marked NLT is taken from The Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. United States of America. All rights reserved.

What's Important

All of us, perhaps, have an idea or two which we hold especially dear and just cannot understand why other people are so obtuse that they can’t accept. It’s plain enough, maybe even a belief we find written in Scripture, but they just don’t get it. Regardless of our persuasive arguments, in spite of our careful reasoning, they remain unconvinced.

Notice that Jesus did not say, “By this everyone will know you are my disciples, by your correct doctrine . . . by impeccable lifestyle . . . by your years of Christian experience.” Instead, He said, “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:35 NIV) If my speaking sounded like the voices of angels, if I understood all the mysteries surrounding the ways of God, even if I knew everything there is to know, but I did not demonstrate love, it would be as useless and irritating as the smoke detector in your kitchen, gone haywire. (I’m paraphrasing I Corinthians 13.)

“While knowledge makes us feel important, it is love that strengthens the church.” (I Corinthians 8:1 NLT) Is it really so important that we all appreciate the same music in church? Or that everyone is baptized in the same way? Or that we all use or do not use the latest technology in our worship services?
 

L - O - V - E



Not nearly as important as letting people know they are loved.

MaryMartha

Scripture quotation marked NIV is taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®. NIV®. Copyright©1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved. Scripture quotation marked NLT is taken from The Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. United States of America. All rights reserved

Breath of Life

A dear friend and co-worker died last week. She was gone from work just a few days—and then she was gone from this life. She was not even retirement age yet, so she did not get to enjoy “the golden years” that we hear so much about. A wife, mother, and grandmother, friend of many, a cheerful public servant—she leaves a large empty place in many people’s lives.

Not allergic to dandelions!

 “Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone.” (James 4:14) Our lives are not inconsequential, of no more value than a bit of mist, but this verse expresses how brief and uncertain life is. Breathing is something we do not think much about, and I have always taken it for granted. Earlier this summer, I had some anxious days and nights when I had significant shortness of breath, a symptom I’ve never experienced. The doctor checked me over and assured me it was common for folks with allergies, but these are new to me. An antihistamine brings almost immediate relief.

I have a new gratitude for the breath of life, and new compassion for people whose breathing is always a struggle. When I take a deep breath and it fills my lungs completely, I now say, “Thank You, Lord.” Life and breath are a gift from Him.

MaryMartha

Scripture quotation is taken from The Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. United States of America. All rights reserved.

Who Will Be King?



Buckingham Palace

 When the royal wedding between Prince William and Katherine took place last spring, some interesting thoughts occurred to me about inheriting the throne. Using the common names by which we know them rather than their formal names, the succession is this:

1. Queen Elizabeth, presently reigning

2. Elizabeth’s oldest son with Philip, Charles,

3. Charles’ oldest son with Diana, William,

4. William’s oldest son, then younger sons; otherwise oldest daughter, then younger daughters. BUT if no heirs are born, Henry (“Harry”) if still living or his oldest son could succeed his brother.

The point that  most interested me was who got left out by the sheer accident of birth order. Elizabeth had a younger sister Margaret, now deceased, but her son is presently fourteenth in the line of succession and will soon be pushed further down by the arrival of heirs born to the eldest child of the eldest child of the eldest child, and so on. Elizabeth has two other sons, and Charles and Diana had another son, “Harry.” These men have less claim to the throne than the younger sons that William might have. Furthermore, no matter how many people might prefer William over Charles as their sovereign, that is not how it works! After Elizabeth, Charles will be king, unless he precedes the Queen in death or he chooses not to serve. There is no official list of those who are line to succeed, but researchers suggest that there are several thousand people potentially in line for the throne! It’s not going to happen!

No amount of wishing it were different is going to change this order which has been established by descent and by law. How wonderful it is then that entering the royal family of Heaven’s King is a simple matter of choice! “To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood, and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.” (Revelation 1:5, 6)

No one is left out of the royal lineage, all are welcome to join in succeeding to the throne! “To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.” (The Christ in Revelation 3:21)

Amazing!

Mary Martha

Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.