You Say/God Says

I came across a copy of an email that I’ve seen many times over the years, but I happened to read it differently this time. The original email contains the phrases “You say/God Says” at each line and also makes note of the scripture where it can be found in the Bible, which is very handy. However, reading it without all the extra distractions today, it sounded different to me. I think many of the phrases felt familiar to my own prayer life at times and can even be read as one continuous litany:

"It's impossible."
All things are possible.

"I'm too tired."
I will give you rest

"Nobody really loves me."
I love you.

"I can't go on."
My grace is sufficient.

"I can't figure things out."
I will direct your steps.

"I can't do it."
You can do all things.

"I'm not able."
I am able.

"It's not worth it."
It will be worth it.

"I can't forgive myself."
I FORGIVE YOU.

"I can't manage."
I will supply all your needs.

"I'm afraid."
I have not given you a spirit of fear.

"I'm always worried and frustrated."
Cast all your cares on ME.

"I don't have enough faith."
I've given everyone a measure of faith.

"I'm not smart enough."
I give you wisdom.

"I feel all alone."
I will never leave you nor forsake you.

(author unknown)

Our inner voices may mislead and beat us down, but as Joan Chittister states:

“When I am feeling battered by life

– sometimes even life at its best –

I take a deep breath and remember that though God is in all of it,

God is also greater than all of it.”

First Love

We, though, are going to love - love and be loved. First we were loved, now we love. He loved us first.
~1 John 4:19 (msg)

Acknowledging this precious “first love of God,” redefines all of our capabilities of loving and shows how that same first love was intended to be fruitful and extend beyond ourselves to others.

Joan Chittister writes:
“The people who love us do for us what we cannot do for ourselves. They release the best in us; they shoulder us through the rough times in life; they stretch us beyond the confines of our own experiences to wider visions, to truer vistas. They show us the face of our creating, caring God on earth.”

Harvest Time

Joan Chittister writes:

"Life is a thing of many stages and moving parts. What we do with ease at one time of life we can hardly manage at another. What we could not fathom doing when we were young, we find great joy in when we are old. Like the seasons through which we move, life itself is a never-ending series of harvests, a different fruit for every time."

An old, familiar, and often heard axiom in our family is "You reap what you sow." I am thankful that the Master Gardener tills the fertile soil of our souls. I pray that my life will reveal the harvest that God intended and ask for help for those times I have selected weak or diseased seeds and nurtured them rather than the seeds of love, grace and his word, so freely offered.

(Today's artwork is a bookmark from the Fall of 1997 - an oldie, but a longtime favorite. I used to make bookmarks all the time and pass out to friends. I have always done some form of art, whatever that particular time in my life allowed).

Putting Up Fences

I proudly present to you a photo that my niece Maddy took several months back. I have been waiting for just the right saying to pair it with and this one, by Michelangelo, fit so nicely. Do you notice the sun's rays or the wire from the fence first? Does that say more about the composition of the photo or your outlook on life?

So much of what we come across in our life journey feels like a "fencing-off" from God's glory, preventing us from seeing Him right in front of us.

I have come to understand the many fences I have put up between God and myself over the years, keeping me from His glory and from my true place in His heart. I have come to know that it is I who am responsible for putting up these fences and not God. But it is God who has shown me that his son Jesus came to tear down those fences, allowing me access to His glory and love...limtless and abounding.

"God did not stay at a distance from us to toy with us. God

was not close when we were perfect and far away when we

were not. God was ours for the asking. God is with us.

Here. Now." ~Joan Chittister

Here. Now. No fences.