A Harbor View!

Watching the waters ripple against the rocky shore, I breathe in hope. My soul reaches out and I feel my faith grow. Something about the effortless waters gleam that shines a light into my heart.

I watch the sea gulls swoop down the rocky shores looking for a new meal. I say thank you Jesus for the beauty around me. I feel blessed today that I didn't miss the simple or the profound moments. It takes a slowing down, moving from hurry to calm.  Life moves at such a fast pace.  It's in the learning to not hurry that helps me to reevaluate my days. 

  I quiet down and listen to the rhythms of the splashing blue waters.  I notice the peaceful harbor view and it steals my mind and directs me to the one who brings peace.  The peace that passeth all understanding will remain in your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.  Those words stir in my heart and mind.  He comes in gentle waves, like a safe harbor.  My hearts desire is a deeper intimacy with him.

Everyday brings new opportunities for God to move in new ways.   It's not an easy evaluation.  I long for my own way most of the time.  God speaks softly reminding me that He's leading the way.  His word gently reminds me that He's in control of all the starts and stops of our lives.  I need a daily reminder that He's my safe harbor!  

Today I read this scripture.

Psalm 16:11 - You make known to me the path of life; you fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.

Nehemiah 9:19 - Because of your great compassion you did not abandon them in the wilderness.  By day the pillar of cloud did not fail to guide them on their path, nor the pillar of fire by night to shine on the way they were to take.

Jeremiah 6:16 - This is what the Lord says: Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths,  ask where the good way is and walk in it and you will find rest for your souls.


I see His hand today as I continue on this path.  The path is often through wilderness moments.   I can trust that it's in those places that He shines a steady light so I can see my way.   He is the peaceful harbor of our souls.  

Walk by the lake!

Pics from Kenosha Harbor!  

Reflections from a feathered nest!

We were sitting in a packed gymnasium waiting for the music to begin.  I realized I'd been here before but the names and faces were different.   It was an emotional moment as we anticipated the  procession of graduates.  My head turns to watch our son enter the room amongst streams of blue caps and gowns.  The tears I try to hold back begin to

stream down my cheek anyway.    My heart is filled with an emotion that revisits me.  

When did my youngest of 4 grow up?  Did I blink too many times?   My mind begins to reminisce as I peer into my feathered nest.   I realize the inevitable, my nest is now empty.

It seemed like yesterday that I began to feather my nest.   Over the years I would watch it grow and expand.  I would do my best to be a good mom, but failed more than I care to admit.  

I realized even on the best days my nest was imperfect.   It would often splinter and occasionally burst of struggle and conflict.   I often questioned my parenting skills and worried at times about my poor judgments.  

I found it easy to compare my nest to others.   I wrestled with doubt, fear and wonder at my abilities to raise 1 child let alone 4.   I made my share of parenting mistakes.   But our nest by God's grace withstood the strong winds that blew.

This day I am struck by the emotion, that my job is finished.   I am turning the page of yet another chapter in my life.    I am reminded that we raise our kids to fly, but my heart says otherwise.   

We watch them grow, change and begin to feather their own nests, it echoes what we began many years ago.   Though I still struggle to make sense of it all, I grasp that herein lies the blessing.

Somehow I would understand it wasn't about challenging success in our children or about the trophies, awards and rewards of a specific academic lesson or degree. 

 I would slowly learn it was much greater than any education could offer.  It was in my imperfect way, helping them to find the deep love and grace of God for themselves.   Searching for meaning and hope when it seemed far away.  It was in the struggle of their own brokenness and trials that they would learn to lean on His sufficiency.  

 Today as I watch my youngest reach for his diploma I see the reflection of my feathered nest in him.  I quietly take in the blessing of a holy moment.    

My youngest leaves the nest just like his  siblings with an enormous heart and love for Jesus.   It is nothing I can take credit for, but by God's grace.

As I peer back into my feathered nest, I realize that He was always there, for the difficult moments and painful places, standing in the gap.  Today I see that he had covered our imperfect with His perfection.  

 I know now, my nest is not empty, it just looks different.  It spills over with more than enough.  

More than enough to see 

the blessings of an imperfect nest ! 

 

Psalm 84:3Even the sparrow finds a home, and the swallow builds her nest and raises her young at a place near your altar, O Lord of Heaven’s Armies, my King and my God!

Psalm 104:12The birds nest beside the streams and sing among the branches of the trees.

My grace place!

It was a holy walk.  My new grace walk.  God's grace, I see it in another unexpected way.

I enjoy taking walks by the lake.  It's beside the still waters, I experience grace.  I begin to pray as I bury my feet on the sandy beach.   As I watch

the water gleam along the shore, it smiles in shades of blue.  My soul thrives again.  As the blue skies above me swirl like a painted canvas, so the water reflects and shines back it's majesty.  And I wonder at this masterpiece of Gods.

 I hear Him whisper into my heart, "let my streams of living water flow through you." This becomes my holy ground.  I tread on a sacred path.  A walk by the lake, my grace place.  My new mantra.  He leads me besides still waters and restores my soul.


My heart opens into those hidden places and I allow God to move in and disturb my thoughts.  I need new perspective.  But I don't always want to change, my stubborn heart says not today. I've been there before.  A paralyzed mindset will propel me down a wasted path.

He says let me water those seeds of faith that I've planted.  Let me have your open heart.  I complain that I don't see his footprints and I question His silence.  In that quiet moment my memory is triggered of a pastor's prayer "let us hear the soft sounds of sandaled feet". As those words echo in my holy place, I'm changed.   I remind God that I am enough for Him.  Then He reminds me that He's enough for me..  

 I realize my offerings are small.  But He joyfully takes my humble gifts and multiplies them.  I remember that He fed 5,000 with a little boys lunch of 5 loaves and 2 fish.  Have I ever offered God my lunch?  I am in awe of His power and grace.  

What is your grace place?  Where do you experience His presence?  

John 7:38

Anyone who believes in me may come and drink! For the Scriptures declare, ‘Rivers of living water will flow from within him. 

Isaiah 32:2

Each one will be like a shelter from the wind and a refuge from the storm, like streams of water in the desert and the shadow of a great rock in a parched land.

    

Psalm 66:6

He turned the sea into dry land, they passed through the waters on foot— Come, let us rejoice in him.

Psalm 77:19

Your path led through the sea, your way through the mighty waters, though your footprints were not seen.

Psalm 23:2

He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul. 

Psalm 29:3

The voice of the Lord is over the waters; the God of glory thunders, the Lord thunders over the mighty waters.