Words

Today I realized (thanks to the person who held me accountable) that I need to be careful how I use my words.  I was trying to convey a point and I ended up saying my phrase completely backwards - which was also a contradiction to what is Biblically correct and this person very quickly said to me "wait a minute, what you just said can be dangerous if people believe that".  I knew in my gut I had said something that wasn't quite right (thank you Holy Spirit for convicting me); but I didn't know exactly what I said until this person pointed it out.  So glad this person called me on it, because I don't ever want to misinterpret or misconstrue the word of God.  As I reflected on this experience it made me realize two things - First, I could have easily gotten mad or defensive and claimed I didn't say anything out of line (which obviously I did) and second, we need to guard our tongue...that means we pay attention and we carefully think about what we say.  We do that so that we speak truth.  We do that so we do not lead someone astray.  We do that because God asks us to guard our speech.  We do that so we can build up instead of tear down.  We do that so we can guide and teach.  I've said many times that I want people to hold me accountable and I'm so glad someone stepped up to the plate to do that.  Thank you Lord for this person and the way they taught me tonight.  Guide my tongue, help me speak words that are true to your word.       

Raindrops and Teardrops

Today I had the honor of officiating at the funeral of one of the sweetest ladies I have ever known.  Nan, as she was affectionately called, touched my heart in more ways than one.  She welcomed me into her home and we sat at her dining room table with a cup of tea and had an hours long conversation that flowed so easily you would never guess that this was the first time we had met.  She was loving, caring, giving, creative, funny, and yet would tell you just like it is.  This woman struggled with a terrible disease over the past four years and yet she handled her situation with incredible grace, strength, and dignity.  Perseverance, fortitude, compassion - other words that come to mind when I think of this woman.  So today, post funeral service, as I sit here in my study trying to determine what to do next on my priority list, I just can't seem to make myself move on to quickly.  This time as with so many others - I need to let myself grieve.  I tell loved ones not to cheat themselves out of that process and to give it time.  So this afternoon while listening to the raindrops outside my window I let the teardrops flow and know that they will bring healing.  Thank you Lord for raindrops and teardrops - one is refreshing to the earth, the other refreshing to my soul.         

Ground Blizzard

Today my HH and I traveled 75 miles north to Valentine, Nebraska for a funeral.  We had blizzard conditions Saturday and didn't exactly know what the 55 MPH, 2 lane highway condition would be on this early brisk morning.  There were spots that were completely clean and others that were snow packed; but what surprised both of us was the ground blizzard that we drove through.  The wind was really strong today and it was very quickly and aptly rearranging the snow that was already on the ground.  There were moments when our visibility was reduced because of the blowing snow.  We both commented that it was a good thing that it wasn't:  a) currently snowing and b) that there wasn't more snow already on the ground.  If either of those things would have been a factor, we probably shouldn't have been on the road. 


It's been years since I've been in that kind of ground blizzard and I forgot how unnerving it can be to have the snow blowing so hard across the road that you can't always see clearly; not to mention the occasional "push" you feel from the wind blowing your car around as well.  Needless to say since we took turns driving my HH and I both have very sore shoulder and neck muscles this evening.  I'm thinking a hot bath with some Epsom salts will be in order.  (aaahhhh, I can feel it now)


As I reflect on this day and what we experienced, I can't help but think about our life of faith and how sometimes when we are in a place where we shouldn't be, our vision for what God wants us to do is clouded or distracted at the least; and then as we strive more and more to figure out what God wants us to do we end up with some tension in our lives that ends up causing us pain.  The Epsom salts might not help that kind of tension and pain in our lives, but talking to God about His plan and design for us will not only clear things up so we can see clearly, but also keep us from the tension and pain that the wrong path - the clouded path with reduced visibility - will cause.  Just something to think about on this cold day.  (now, off to run the bath water)