Laced With Grace

I woke up on New Year’s Day with a verse playing across my heart, “Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.” Isaiah 43:19-20  

Later on I was working outside burning brush where we had many, many pine trees cut down. At the back edge of our property we left many pine trees. The wind was blowing through the tops of them, making a whistling noise as I walked into the woods and within a few steps I was surrounded by trees. While we don’t have enough property that I could get lost in the woods, I know the feelings that come when I have found myself surrounded by those towering trees with no way out in sight.

Life can feel that way at times. Towering problems surrounding us, we turn round and round, searching for a way to walk out the wilderness.

 2012 is here, and for some us, we awoke in the same wilderness we went to sleep in. We have no idea of a way that will lead us out. Oh, we have heard that somewhere there is a field with a stream where we can lay down and rest, but surrounded by the trees we feel lost and abandoned.

That very short verse running across my mind, tells us two great truths, first when we find ourselves in a wilderness, God will make a way to lead us out. Secondly, we will have to be able to perceive him, ‘to become aware of him through any of sense, but especially sight and hearing’ according to the dictionary, to follow him out.

Others of us are sitting in a desert, seeing the same old barren landscape. Nothing brings a smile to our face, we look around all we see is nothing. We sit wondering where is all that green, fertile land I was told about? Thirsty, hot and with no energy to go on we sit down, giving up hope.

Do you know, do I know, that God is perfectly capable of causing a river to spring up in our deserts? A marriage that has dried up, he can restore it.

Whether we are feeling lost and alone in the wilderness, or dry and brittle in the desert God has something to say to us, will we perceive it?

The question that immediately comes to my mind, is how do I perceive you God?

Three things immediately came to my mind:

• By the Holy Spirit revealing it to us. But, as it is written, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him”–these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. 1 Corinthians 2:9-10
• By studying his word. Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15
• Prayer. Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. Colossians 4:2

It’s weird, the list is so simple. Short. But life changing. Open our Bibles, let the Holy Spirit teach us, and then open our mouths and cry out to God.

“Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.” Isaiah 43:19-20

“Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?” Matthew 6:25 (NKJV)

Does the fact that Christmas is just ten days away make you cringe or even panic?  Do you have a list of things that need to be done or purchased and realize that nothing has been crossed off your list yet?

For the past five or so years I have learned not to allow these things get me down.  Unfortunately I had to learn the hard way when chronic illness crept into my life like a thief in the night robbing me of the stamina I once had in order to accomplish the things I thought I needed to get done for the Christmas season.   I have learned that my home does need to be perfectly decorated; I do not have to bake everyone’s favorite Christmas cookie, candy, or cake; or have the perfect Christmas dinner; or the perfect tree with all the special trimmings; or spend a fortune for gifts.

I’ve learned that what people really want – those closest to us – is our special attention.  We can find ourselves so busy with all the holiday trappings that we neglect the very people we claim to be doing all the fuss for.

This past Sunday afternoon I had a Women’s Christmas Tea for the ladies of our church in our home.  I not only wanted to show my love and appreciation for each of them, but I also wanted them to know that we can have a wonderful time of fellowship without all the hype and fuss.  I knew my limits as well.  Other than the usual weekly cleaning that my husband always helps me with, I did not worry that everything had to look spotless or beautifully decorated.  I decided that since it was an afternoon Tea, that the food would be simple as well.  I furnished the hot tea and sparkling punch along with a tray of freshly baked scones and mini muffins purchased from my new friend who has a lovely Bed & Breakfast and Tea Room in Pottsville, PA.  I had the ladies bring cookies for a cookie exchange using one dozen from each lady for all to share at the tea.  To make it even simpler I purchased Christmas paper plates, cups and napkins.  I did not want the focus to be on the food or a beautifully decorated table.  I wanted the focus to be on the fellowship with one another as well as the real reason for this special season – Jesus.  We had prayer and devotion; a white elephant gift exchange; Christmas Pictionary; and a great time of fellowship and laughter too.  The two hours set for the Tea flew by way too fast!

This year there will not be any homemade cookies or candies from me.  Although, those who know me are probably thankful to hear this since for some reason my cookies never turn out like they should.  My husband and I will enjoy a few Christmas gatherings with the church, some extended family members and our small but precious family (mom and our daughter Heather and family).  Knowing my physical limitations we chose carefully which gatherings we attend as well as limit the amount of time spent at each gathering so as to not overly exhaust myself .  I’ve learned that I do not have to be supper woman and do everything myself.  My daughter and grandson love to help with the Christmas preparations.

In simplifying my life I have been able to give the gift that each family member desires from me – the gift of quality time with ME.   In so doing, we can all enjoy the real reason for this special season – God’s precious Gift to each of us – Jesus

“Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!”  2 Corinthians 9:15 (NKJV)

Traveling behind a college bus can be God thing.

Please reread this sign.

Follow Me to the …

Fill in the blank.

Would you follow me if you didn’t know where the dot, dot, dot was? Don’t answer that.

Isn’t that just like our God to set before me a bus to remind me to follow Him? He knows I tend to wander.

I love that we are all invited to follow Him, but I struggle with the destination being unknown. Don’t you? God ultimately decides where we go. So much for my desire to control. Ha.

Will you, like Abraham, follow God to the land HE will show you? (read Genesis 12:1)

Because I know He has places for you to go. Yes, even today.

Instead of the Extreme Home Makeover crowd yelling, “move that bus”, it’s time we shout “follow that bus!” especially if Jesus is at the wheel.

Listen. I think I hear him again.

“Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” Mark 1:17

Following Him,

Tiffany @ Tea with Tiffany

(this post taken from my blog archives)