A Blessing After Another Piece of Surrender?

I opened the door to a happy childhood memory tonight. The unbelievable part of the whole experience is that this childhood memory directly connected to a present reality in my life.

Some friends have heard the story of how I destroyed my favorite Cyndi Lauper record as a child when I “played” with it by dragging it around on the ground outside our little home. Well, little did I know years later how this record was embedded in my memory in a remarkable way. A few years ago, I saw Vincent van Gogh’s “The Starry Night.” I determined that I loved the painting and wanted my own copy of it. My mother graciously purchased one and even had it nicely framed. It now brings an artistic flavor to my tiny apartment living room. I never knew why this painting was so appealing to me; I simply determined that it was somehow inspiring.

At this point, please do not continue reading this entry until you’ve looked at my pictures on my Xanga. Study carefully these two:  "Cyndi Lauper Record" and "van Gogh painting". Then, please return for “the rest of the story.”  Just click at the top left where it says, “Photos.” <Whistling and twiddling thumbs>

Ok, did you obey my request? Good! Perhaps you already know the rest of the story? As a preschool age child, the painting on the bottom of Cyndi’s high heels was imprinted on my little mind. I now know why I loved the painting so much. It was a nostalgic creation before my very eyes! I experience happy, light-hearted feelings when looking upon this picture as it strikes a chord of blissful moments; unbeknownst to me this was a feeling stirred up from my younger years. I am quite at peace as I finally know of what importance this painting has in my life.

Why the title of this entry? I’ve lately been experiencing some rather harsh realities that have caused me to remember only the bad moments of my past. However, I am reminded through this seemingly simple discovery that there where some “precious moments” wrapped up in the package of my accumulated years. Thank you Jesus for these blessings in the valley!

One final thought:  You were (I’m sure) asking yourself, “I wonder what Brooke’s favorite song on the record was?” I’m so glad you asked!

First favorite = Girls Just Want to Have Fun. Second Favorite = Time After Time.

I almost made an adventurous journey to Walmart at 10:30 tonight to get a CD copy of this precious memory, but alas, that adventurous discovery shall be for another day….

Surrender

Within the context of one’s relationship with Christ, that word, surrender, is a very powerful action. Today I surrendered something to Jesus because He can do so much more with it than I ever could. Psalm 127:1 says, “Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it; unless the Lord guards the city, the watchman keeps awake in vain.” No matter how good a thing is, without God’s wise constructor’s hand, it will be done in vain. The amazing thing about surrender is that when it is done, God will bring some sort of strength or peace or hope to your heart. In my case, it’s a combination of all three plus perhaps many other fruits. As my sister in Christ, Natalie Grant, states, “I’m in better Hands now.”

Sometimes reading the prayers of others can inspire my own prayers. This Puritan prayer is a perfect praise under the circumstances, “O my God, Thou fairest, greatest, first of all objects, my heart admires, adores, loves thee, for my little vessel is as full as it can be, and I would pour out all that fullness before thee in ceaseless flow. When I think upon and converse with thee ten thousand delightful thoughts spring up, ten thousand sources of pleasure are unsealed, ten thousand refreshing joys spread over my heart, crowding into every moment of happiness. I bless thee for the soul thou hast created, for adorning it, sanctifying it, though it is fixed in barren soil; for the body thou hast given me, for preserving its strength and vigour, for providing senses to enjoy delights, for the ease and freedom of my limbs, for hands eyes, ears that do thy bidding; for thy royal bounty providing my daily support, for a full table and overflowing cup, for appetite, taste, sweetness, for social joys of relatives and friends, for ability to serve others, for a heart that feels sorrows and necessities, for a mind to care for my fellow-men, for opportunities of spreading happiness around, for loved ones in the joys of heaven, for my own expectation of seeing thee clearly. I love thee above the powers of language to express, for what thou art to thy creatures. Increase my love, O my God, through time and eternity” (15). Taken from The Valley of Vision:  A Collection of Puritan Prayers & Devotions.

I want my heart to be able to give a sincere “Amen” to every truthful word in that prayer. I am especially blessed at the thought of praising God “for a heart that feels sorrows and necessities” because who would normally think to praise Him for such a thing? Also, it is such an endearing encouragement to praise Him “for my own expectation of seeing thee clearly.” Oh, that my heart and mind could cling solely to the hope of knowing Him more and more each day! He is the ultimate giver of joy and happiness.  J

Things I like...

This blog is dedicated to a fellow writer who seems to admire deep thinking about life...I hope the trip back to Iowa is wonderful.

The things I like include: (listed in no particular order)

-A cool, fall day when the leaves are varied colors and the air is a crisp, inviting smell.

-Anastasia returning my greeting early in the morning. "Good morning Sunshine" receives a sleepy "Meow".

-Finding a violet flower in my flower pot in early December.

-Light-heartedly laughing at myself when I begin to take life too seriously.

-Hearing my friends laugh, especially at me.

-A warm cup of coffee while greeting my students walking into class.

-Driving around neighborhoods in search of Christmas lights (I haven't done this in a while).

-Being inspired to try something new as a teacher or in life in general.

-Finding God drawing closer to me when I draw closer to Him.

-Knowing He is faithful even though I find that I am human.

-Hearing Grandma laugh at the small details of my day.

-Turning daily events into an adventure.

-Having you read this.

God bless.

Self Control and Patience

Isn't He an awesome God? I find that when I'm really dealing with hard situations, the moment I turn to Him, He's there to guide me whether that be through comfort or conviction, wisdom or rebuke. This week I've been learning about self control, primarily in the area of my thoughts. I can get so wrapped up in exciting new possibilities that are taking place in life that I become consumed with expectancy for those possibilities to come to fruition. Yet, without too much time passing in that state of mind, I found I was driving myself "crazy" with my focus on these possibilities. I had to slow down, set a few rules for myself, and practice self control. It's been a wonderful help in creating a sense of contentment and patience with God's timing for events in my life. Have I completely conquered these struggles this week? Nope, but I sure have learned a bit about God's ample supply.

Have you ever played the "Count My Blessings" game? It's something I do to boost my spirits sometimes. All you do is decide on a number, let's say 30. Then, you count every single little good thing that comes in your head. No matter how small or insignificant it may seem, you count it. By the time you've counted every big or little good thing in your life up to 30, you're again seeing how much God has truly blessed you. This is especially true when some of those blessings include people or growth God has given you.

If anyone reads this, God bless you. Have a great night!!! 

Please forgive the horrible grammar, I copied and pasted this. Jonny Diaz sings this song ("Hold Me") about hard times and trusting Christ. He sings the words of my heart tonight. God bless this brother of mine for weaving these words into song.

"any other day i'd just run away from what lies ahead
but right here i stand choosing to remain right where i've been lead
i cannot see the ending, i cannot pretend the seas are calm ahead
and the only thing i can ever cling to is what You said
clouds assume command, sky unrolls it's wrath, firmly still i stand, there's no turning back

Chorus:
i need You to hold me when the storms begin to rage cause You know me and You know that i'm afraid
though i'd rather go 'round but i'm following now so i'll trust that we'll make it through just help me remember i'm never alone when i'm walking with You

what is still unknown has caused my fear to grow, fear of thoughts unseen
but with Your embrace, i know i can face all that's facing me
clouds assume command, sky unrolls it's wrath, firmly still i stand there's no turning back

Chorus:
i need You to hold me when the storms begin to rage cause You know me and You know that i'm afraid
though i'd rather go 'round but i'm following now so i'll trust that we'll make it through just help me remember i'm never alone when i'm walking with You
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That was actually a very encouraging song to me, heard on The Fish. It may sound sad, but just when we reach the point of surrender in sorrow, Christ can work. That is what is so encouraging. I know He's right here and understands. Please don't feel bad for me as I write. I do not write this to make you worry, but simply to praise God for being my All and my Faithful Love. He never leaves. Praise Jesus.

The other day I had a conversation with a friend who didn't understand how other religions could be wrong and Christianity be the only right way. After I'd tried my best to explain from my limited understanding, I continued to think that night. It dawned on me that perhaps our human view of heaven is wrong. Our perspective is that we all are "mostly good" and deserve heaven. With that logic, we can sometimes see God as unjust, uncaring, unfair for allowing some to miss heaven for eternity. Who says we deserve heaven? I realized God's perspective might go something like this:  "They may not deserve it because of their sin, but I love them and am a just God and will bring as many to heaven as I can. They may not deserve it, but My merciful nature cannot allow them to remain this way, helpless and heavenless."  THAT IS JUST MY UNDERSTANDING. PLEASE do not think I'm claiming to speak something that I know God said, I only suspect His perspective is something like that. Ultimately, only the Bible can speak to this. This much I know, "For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 6:23

Praise God for His mercy!