Wintertide Tractations: My

Today is the fifth of my Wintertide Tractations; thanks for stopping by!  
(If you're curious about the backstory of the word Tractations, you can follow this link.)   

I haven't gotten far into the month, but this is the most thought-provoking and unexpected of Kyrie's words so far, today's is: My

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As I listened to the words of one of my new favorite Christmas songs, ("I Am" from the CD Everlasting Savior  by Sarah Mikowski, Anna, & Faith Hainline), I couldn't help but be swept away.  The soaring music, beautiful sister-harmony, and the words of the song reminds me again what a blessed Daughter of the King of kings that I am! 

The Lord gave me the opportunity to talk with one of my classmates from Spanish class the other day.  A few weeks ago, I overheard her talking with some others in the class about some of her decisions and wondered what she would consider her spiritual health to be.  We got to have a little conversation before class began and, based on what she said, I'm not sure whether she believes in Christ Jesus for herself or not.  She seemed to be relying on the fact that she's "always been a Christian" based on her foster parents' religious doings.  The conversation brought to my mind anew how that what my ancestors decided concerning Christ doesn't automatically pass on to me; it is not hereditary.  I get to make the choice for my own self.  Yet, because of His unfathomable mercy, He gave me simple faith to believe that what He says through His Word is true: that I am a sinner in a hopeless condition without Him and that He is a gracious Savior, ready and waiting to forgive me of all my evil doings.  

Now I can refer to Christ with words that reflect my personal relationship with Christ!  I do not vaguely base my understanding of Who He is through my parents' or grandparents' love for Him, or because of the church I attend or the friends I associate with.  
I can say with Job, "I know that my Redeemer liveth!" (Job 19:25.)  
With Thomas, I believe in Jesus' ability to bring Himself to life again and I echo that faltering disciple as I exclaim, "My Lord and my God!" (John 20:24-29.)  
With David I confess that the Lord is my Shepherd Who supplies my every need perfectly--with Himself! (Psalm 23:1.)  
With Moses my heart sings, "The Lord is my strength and my song, and he is become my salvation: he is my God, and I will prepare him an habitation; my father's God, and I will exalt him." (Exodus 15:2.)   

The Scripture is full of verses that show saints who claimed a personal attachment to the Lord of hosts...and because of His mercy, I have the same privilege of addressing Him so!  He is my Master, my Savior, the Healer of my heart and the constant Guide for my feet.  How can I keep quiet when such a God is mine?!

Wintertide Tractations: Way

Good evening, the word for this fourth Wintertide Tractation is Way.  

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I had hoped that my father and I could visit a new friend of ours this evening following church.  The man is a security guard at a local rest stop and we became acquainted with him back about July when my family and I were on an outing.  After awhile, Dad and I hit on a routine that we try to visit the man, (I'll call him Mr. Justice), every two or three weeks. 

Mr. Justice is a gentlemanly gentleman, but he has a very serious problem.  He has never been able to come to terms with the loss of his wife at the age of fifty.  Now in his mid-eighties his bitterness at God has made him blind to what the Lord is doing in his life.  

I understand loss that is painful and permanent, but I also have been blessed to have the presence of my loving Heavenly Father on Whom I can lean even through times that are hard and heart-wrenching.  Mr. Justice's case is not singular.  I have known of many dear people who have had loved loves near to them to be taken from them suddenly.  One instance is a couple whose baby was born with them knowing they only had a few months with her.  My grandparents had two of their sons to die.  Aunts, cousins, and friends of mine have lost unborn children.  A young friend in his early twenties was killed in a car wreck.  In these instances, the families, while shaken, were not destroyed by the hardships; they were strengthened by drawing strength from the Lord Who works all things out for our ultimate good. (Romans 8:28.)  But Mr. Justice cannot see this because he is spiritually blind to it.  He does not know that all things work together for good because he does not love God; he has not been awakened to the fact that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, lived and died and came back to life for his redemption and for his healing. 

How I wish for Mr. Justice to see that Jesus is the Only Way to be at peace, to come to terms with life! (John 14:6.)  Jesus is the only Truth we can bank our lives on.  He is the Life that brings light to our souls.  

Without knowing Jesus, there is no real foundation to one's life.  It is as Jesus said to His disciples,  
"...whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:  And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.  And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:  And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it."  (Matthew 7:24-27.)

Friend, I would love to encourage you, let hardships draw you to Jesus Christ, not drive a wedge between you and Him.  What He allows He intends to use for His glory.  See what love it took for Him to come to this vile world and give up His life so that you and I could go free!  He sacrificed so much for us (sinners!); won't you surrender to Him, the Way, the Truth, and the Life? 


If this has meant something to you, or you have questions, feel free to leave a comment. 

Wintertide Tractations: Middle

Hello! Third day of Wintertide Tractations.  The word is Middle.

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Today Kyrie and I participated with our church's outreach, handing out gift bags to the children in a nearby neighborhood.  Our youth pastor and his wife led the delivery and three of their children joined in the group that went.  Their daughter, Spice, is the middle child, being sandwiched between two boys older than her and two younger.  Spice is merry, like pumpkin spice, full of delight and wonderfulness.  Across her cheeks is a sprinkle of freckles, like nutmeg spice on the top of a creamy goblet of eggnog.  Her light brown eyes glow and study the world with curiosity and a measure of analysis that makes me feel like she knows far more than we adults imagine.  At seven, she's smart, mischievous, and wiggled her way into my heart a few weeks after her family arrived back in April.  For some reason, Spice attached herself to me and I loved having her catch up to me time after time and sleep her little hand into mine.  She wanted me to sit on the same seat of the bus with her and periodically would lean her head on my arm (she doesn't reach my shoulder yet, of course), or give me spontaneous hugs.

Being the middle child can be tricky, just as any position in a person's sibling line-up.  My mother knows what it's like to be the middle daughter in her family.  For some middle children, there is a tendency to "fall through the cracks", not being a "big kid" and not being a baby, or at least not considering oneself one of the "littles".

Spice has needs and one of those is that I pray for her and her parents and brothers.  She may never know whether I do or not, but as her friend, the best thing I can do for her is to pray for her precious life that she would grow up to love and honor our Savior and for me to live my life as close to Jesus Christ as I can as an example for her. 

If, as the Proverb says, "Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right." (20:11) then surely an adult's doings are evident.  I must be very careful, with the Lord's help, to live in such a way that this little soul, as she watches me, will not be led astray by anything I say or do.  It's too big a job for me, but the Lord Who cares can help me and this precious middle child and friend, Spice.

Wintertide Tractations: Shine

Hello, folks!  Second day of Wintertide Tractations!   Today's word is Shine! 

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As I still mull over the happenings of this past weekend (my family's trip to Arkansas), I got to meet one of my mother's friends for the first time.  She, (whom I'll call Delia), and my Mother have not had contact in about 27 years.  Although I had heard her name mentioned a few times, I didn't know much about her and wasn't expecting to see her at our friends' house and anniversary celebration.  Wow, was I in for a bundle of blessings!  Throughout our one-and-a-half days together, I found myself going back for more conversation with her time and again.  This lady loves the Lord in such a deep way that I was prompted to consider my own relationship with Christ.

Delia shone with a glow that was deep and soaked-in.  A gentleness and a beauty that could only come from time spent with the Lord day after day exuded from her.  Small of stature and quiet of voice, Delia is attractive, but more than that, she beautiful in mannerisms and, most importantly, of heart.  The beauty of Christ shone out of her and I found myself wanting that.  Like a moth to a flame, or a thirsty horse to a stream of water, the work that Christ is doing in Delia drew me in as I long for an echo of His likeness in my own life.  I want to be a truly godly woman, too.  

The wisdom that she (either intentionally or unintentionally) shared encouraged and sharpened me as Proverbs says, "Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend" (27:17.)  I realize that the virtue that she exuded has developed over years of quietly getting away to spend time with her Lord.  Arriving at such a level myself will happen as the Lord molds and works on me and as I surrender myself to Him and spend time reading His Word and communicating with Him through prayer.  I don't want to be resistant to His work within and through me.

By the grace of God, I have been forgiven for my sins and am journeying with Christ and becoming like Him, but I want so much more of Him.  What a blessing that He puts people like my new-found sister in Christ, Delia, to encourage me into a closer relationship with Him! 

Wintertide Tractations: Collect

Hello, folks! I have discovered a new word: Tractate.  If I understand correctly, it's a synonym for the word treatise or discussion and is currently out of use.  But perhaps this blog will change that. *wink*

Since I missed getting to participate in the Write 31 month-long blogging party introduced to me by Kate Motaung, I determined that I would try my own version in December.  However, before I came up with that idea, when I was still thinking I could do Write 31, I asked my in-house word-crafter, Kyrie, supply me with 31 words which I plan to draw out at random and write about.  {And I have not fished through them to see what she came up with...}  I don't know whether I'll stick to the five minute time limit as I thought I would; we'll just have to see.

Therefore without further ado, here is.... Collect!  

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When I look at the word Collect hand-written on a tiny sliver of paper in Kyrie's signature scrawl, I link it to the most recent occurrence in my life: our family's trip to Arkansas.  Friends of ours extended the invitation to us to join with them as they celebrate twenty-five God-given years of married life.  

I was delighted when my parents began making plans to attend.  It had been about seven years since I had been in "my old stomping ground" in that lovely state, so, besides the privilege of seeing and rejoicing with the happy couple, I looked forward to the fun of traveling, seeing the countryside between my current and former residences, and getting to again be with many beloved friends who would attend the anniversary reception.  

So how does this relate to the word Collect?  Only this, that over the years, the Lord has richly blessed my life with precious friends whom I have collected, until my family not only includes those who share similar genes with me, but also "family members" who are connected to me through the Blood of Christ.  

Perhaps it sounds strange to talk about blood.  But Jesus Christ, God's Son, died for me and I cannot keep from telling about what His kindness did for me.  He, although Righteous, bled and gave up His life, so that I, who was guilty, through believing in Him, could be made clean and pleasing before God.  

As my mother and I read recently in our Bible reading together, "Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God." (1 Peter 1:18-21.)
 
These whom I have been blessed to collect into my family are likewise ones who have put their faith in Christ's work on the cross and His raising Himself from the grave.  These are dear people to me and having them "in my collection" has brought me riches beyond estimation. 

Ponderings on Momentary Life

  My cousin's fish died yesterday.
  A strange way to open a blog post. Such an insignificant part of life, but a part that affected me.
  We have been fish-sitting for a few weeks while our cousin was away.  He came to us in old-ish age and we worried over him and coaxed him to live and prayed that he would survive long enough to get him back to her.
  We didn't know his name.  (I think I knew at one point...was it Julio?  I usually called him Buddy or Dude.)    
  Julio (if that was indeed this fish's name and not the name of one of his fellow-fishes belonging to said cousin) became part of our life for a few short days.  He would hang motionless in the water & we'd talk to him or tap his bowl, willing him to swim, or wiggle his fins, or show some sign of life. Suddenly, he would whirl about as if waking from some daze.  He'd do some speedy circles at the surface of the water and then pause, as if tired from the exertion to prove his alive-ness. 
  He was a people fish,...of sorts.  He liked "being part" of our conversations when we had guests over.  We found humor in his attentiveness when we watched the Olympics, especially swimming.

  And then I came in from school and he was very still.

  You may be laughing. What kind of kook gives a eulogy for a fish?  But his death came at a pivotal point in my life.  (It seems that most points in my life, when I look back on them, are, or have been, able to be described as "pivotal".)
  I remarked to Kyrie as we sighed over him, "I'm so tired of death."  
  Our dear friend at church, a man with whom we had served, and taken a mission trip, and fellowshipped with, and called "uncle" from the start, passed away a few days ago after a brief battle with cancer. 
  His passing caused me to reflect on other losses, my grandmother's and grandfather's deaths two years ago and a year ago, respectively, and a dissolved friendship. 
  When loss happens, how do we respond?
  For my "uncle" and my grandparents, I do not mourn as if I will never see them again.  In Christ Jesus, I have an eager expectancy that one day we will be reunited.  They trusted in Him and received His forgiveness and eternal life and I, who have done the same, expect to join them in my Lord's presence when I, too, pass from this life. 
  The friendship, while it has been painful to lose, has also been a case orchestrated by my merciful and all-wise Father.
  And Julio, as small a bit of existence as he was, helped me to see the beauty of another day of struggling, fragile life and was another stepping stone in my journey with knowing my Savior Jesus better and resting in Him.

Five Minute Friday: Protect

Joining the FMF group for a great word: protect. 
  
  Protect.  The word inspires so much in me. Today especially as I reflect on my Grandmother's short life of 86 years.  She went to be with her (and my) Savior, Jesus Christ two years ago today.  
  The Grandmother was a great example of protector.  At 80, she faced bringing her husband, my grandfather, home from the hospital after he experienced a debilitating stroke.  Hospital personnel said that she should put him in a veteran's home 60 miles away, but she was loyal to him and to the promise she had made to him 62 years earlier "til death do us part".  It was certainly no easy task as she had the carpet changed out for a shorter shag (easier for pushing a wheelchair on), and rearranged the furniture in almost every room of the house in order to make it easier for caring for him and to fit in the new hospital bed and lift chair.  
  The Grandmother also was big about protecting family relationships.  Even when things became strained between one member or another, the Grandmother believed in reconciliation, grace, and unconditional love.
  The Grandmother is an inspiration to me as I look forward to participating at a Joni and Friends Family Retreat this coming week in AL.  There I hope I can pass on the legacy of protecting as I will have the privilege to get to meet and interact with people with abilities different from my own, people who have been shunned, bullied, or misunderstood.  

  {Side note: Another person who fits into the "protection advocate" category is Joel Anderson, artist and animator.  I was encouraged by Mr. Anderson yesterday as I watched a video that shares his passion for standing up for and protecting those who are bullied, who have special needs or abilities, and who need a friend.}