A lesson from rabbits

We have some small rabbits living near us, and one of them comes into our tiny yard and hangs out for awhile nearly every day.

No, we don't have a vegetable garden to attract them. You might describe our garden as rock minimalist. Perhaps three or four plants--not counting flowering weeds--surrounded by decorative rocks, provided by our builder for the least amount of upkeep.

What we offer is shelter. We're one of the few families in the neighborhood without a dog, and the rabbits discovered they can come in and hide, sun themselves on our rocks, and hang out in safety for hours at a time without anyone disturbing them.

My heart melts when I look out the window and see one or two of them, trusting in the protection of our yard. It gives me a tiny sense of what God must feel when I trust him with my cares. He has surrounded me with his unfailing protection, his love, and his faithful promises. He has shown himself worthy of my trust again and again.

Can I be as smart as a rabbit and run for Shelter?

What's more, I AM with you, and will protect you wherever you go.

Genesis 28:15

The Lord is my light and my salvation. Whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

Psalm 27:1

Last train to Twitterville

Twitter has indeed created a strange and wonderful world.

Yesterday I was tweeting directly to a woman who has become a friend and prayer partner through Twitter. These direct messages (DMs) are intended for the two of us. We were tweeting about having osteoporosis.

I've had osteoporosis since I was in my early 40s. Yes, I've worked with nutritionists and naturopaths. Recently, I was balanced enough in my minerals to benefit from an infusion medication that should begin beefing up my bones for the first time. At last, I'll be at much less risk this winter’s icy slip and fall season. After several fractures, that would be great.

My readers have heard me refer to myself as a cracked pot. It's true. But I digress.

The funny thing is that when I sent this lady the last tweet about getting the IV medication, I messed up and didn't send it to her directly. Instead, I told my 700 followers the news about my infusion medication for osteoporosis. Yikes! First off, I didn't plan to give a product endorsement. Second, I didn't plan to tell the world I have break-away bones.

And what happened? Well, of course I now have vitamin and osteoporosis treatment endorsements, doctors and alternative medicine resources, and an insurance website link. There was also a kind person who wrote: “Thanks for sharing, & share more often, so we can pray more for your specific needs.”

Yes, many of the responses wanted to use my comment to benefit their business. I can't fault them. But how truly heartening that in the midst of busy days, others were interested in sharing on a personal level with someone who has problems like theirs.

What a terrific illustration of God's power to use any and every way to comfort his people and get his word out. Never insult God by underestimating his power to use your flimsy self to his glory. If he can use my crazy, rickety bones, he can use you and your weaknesses.

Give those weaknesses to the God who loves you, and let your pride run screaming for the door. Mine did long ago. It's much more fun this way.

Yet, O Lord, you are our Father. We are the clay; you are the Potter; we are the work of your hand.

Isaiah 64:8

Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and healing to the bones.

Proverbs 16:24

Fresh beginnings

In ten days, I will start one more chapter in my life. The new school year may mean another chapter for you as well. You may be sending a first-time student to school, or the last of your students to school. For all of us a change is about to take place in our household and our routines.

My change is becoming a full-time student again at the age of 58. I have been accepted into a highly competitive two-year training program in a medical field. I spent the bulk of the summer taking prerequisite classes online (some readers have read my travails in these postings).

Just think: I now qualify for STUDENT and SENIOR discounts! If only I could afford to spend, I could save a bundle.

I signed myself up for Special Ed, since I had to face that I am slower than I used to be, and certain things are next to impossible with the seizures. That was humbling, but it comes with free tutoring. Note to self: Check your pride at the door.

This is exciting, though. I already did 40 hours of job shadowing in this field to make sure my brain could handle it, and I love it. Two years ago, I wouldn't have even thought of going back to school, but God not only brought me a vision, but he has given me the ability to do pursue it joyfully. I'm praising him for a new way to grow.

What about your new beginning? Some are wonderful. Others are forced on us because of circumstances beyond our control. The one thing that is true for every beginning is it brings a change. It brings unknown. We never know how it will unfold. There will be some chaos until the new routine is solid. That is stressful, even when it is for a change we like.

The very good news is that God is steady and trustworthy throughout all our changes. He is the only one in the universe who does not change and does not need to change. In the middle of our chaos is the calm of his peace. We can return to him any time in the day for restoration and renewal. He will never run out.

The Eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms.

Deuteronomy 33:27a

True love displayed

My parents just came to town last week. It was a wonderful visit, and we were thrilled at the opportunity to spend some time with the two dear people we love so much, and see in person so rarely.

• The time went so well that even the 2-year-old, who had never met them, sidled up to Poppa and was showing him something or other within moments of their arrival.
• The future fairy/policewoman was in her chiffon and sequined fairy uniform (wings and head garland included) fresh out of the gift bag from GiGi and Poppa.
• Her sister was in her gorgeous Belle costume (the Disney Princess from Beauty the Beast), from the same source.
• And the elder brother Lego/StarWars addict and twin of Belle was doing puzzles in the books also brought by my parents, who know what he loves.

In other postings, I've talked a little about some of the ways we show our love. I've said that one way is whether or not we're willing to be inconvenienced for another person. My parents showed enormous love last week, because I know very well that the trip came at a high cost to them physically.

Even for a young and healthy person, travel is draining, and has plenty of inconveniences in this post-9/11 world. For someone with health challenges, it can be too much work to be worth the trouble. That is, unless you are overcome with love, as my parents were. They made the very great effort of coming and paying the physical tolls in order to see us. Now they are paying the price to recover from seeing us. And it does take real time.

I am honored to have parents who act on their love, and don't just talk about it. They have been a gift to me in countless ways, but this is one more I count as real treasure. Thank you, dear ones. I see, and it means the world to me.

Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God.

Philippians 1:3

The work of God

There are so many different types of work:

• work that requires creativity and artistry, like a work of art or music
• handiwork that requires great care and precision
• heavy, physical labor that requires great strength
• strategic work, planning and executing a battle--of any kind

The bottom line with any kind of work is that it requires some kind of exertion from the one doing the work. The work might be enjoyable--that's the type we all like to have, of course! But even the most enjoyable task demands that we actually do it. Most of us won't get a paycheck otherwise.

While reading in Isaiah this morning, I was reminded of the work God has done on our behalf.

For perspective, I remembered Psalm 19:1, which says that making the universe was merely handiwork for God. The heavens declare the glory of God the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Psalm 102:25 says the same (The heavens are the work of your hands).

Since the heavens are far beyond our wildest imagination in vastness, then if the Creator of the universe needs to do anything else, it should be as nothing to him, shouldn't it? That is why it is so powerful for me to read that bringing our salvation requires much more: the right arm of his strength and power.

The Lord looked and was displeased that there was no justice. He saw that there was no one, and he was appalled that there was no one to intercede; so his own arm worked salvation for him, and his own righteousness sustained him. He put on righteousness as his breastplate, and the helmet of salvation on his head...

Isaiah 59:16,17

He had to come down himself, as Jesus, God in human form, to bring our salvation. The heavens cost him nothing of himself. Next to the task of saving us, making the universe was easy. Salvation was expensive and cost him everything.

Lord, how can I ever thank you enough for coming down--and continuing to come down--to intercede for me and to be with me in my daily life?

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

John 3:16

Transformed by love

I was at the airport this week, waiting to pick up my parents, who had flown in for a visit.

An airport is such a good place to see how people's faces mystically change before and after they see their loved one. Before, frankly, all you see is a set of features: a nose, two eyes, a mouth and some hair. You would never think there is anything distinctive or interesting about this person. But after: alive, and vibrant, each face transforms with vitality and warmth. You want to know who is inside this face.

What happened? Love, of course. They met up with the person they loved. It filled them up with life. Every face was flat before, yet every face came to life after it saw the one it loved.

I was reading Psalm 42 this morning. The psalmist was going through a terrible time, and sharing honestly about it with God. He sounded genuinely depressed, but he remembered in the midst of his very real sadness that God was not leaving him. "Why are you downncast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God."

The psalmist was just like the people in the airport, with the flat face and heart. His life was sucked out, waiting to be filled with his love for God. I'm sure I look the same: Fill me now, Lord! I'm ordinary and just a bunch of features. Make me what you want and need me to be for your glory.

By day the Lord directs his love, at night his song is with me--a prayer to the God of my life. Psalm 42:8

It may be quiet now, but hang on...

I saw some friends at church today, and one said, "Won't it be fun in heaven when we can get together with all our friends?" That reminded me of a song I knew from college days. It has a phrase I'll never forget. It paints such a wonderful picture of heaven.

The song is called "It's Quiet Now," by Sonny Salsbury, written in 1971. He was a music pastor at a camp where I was on summer staff and he told the story of this song. It was inspired by the death of a young person in his church. How quiet it can be after the loss of someone you love. But--there's something else going on that we do not see. In heaven, there's a very different perspective:

"Somewhere there's music in the air and songs of joy
From angels singin' for a victory won,
And all over heaven there's a party goin' on,
For someone has come home and life's begun."

I think of that now. I forget that Somewhere there's music in the air...

I need reminders when the battle's raging around me that there is more going on than what I can see, don't you? These verses about Elisha and his servant having such different views about the angelic hosts around them are them same idea. Lord, open our eyes!

You don't see the limited view of the world that we do, Father. Open our eyes to see your angelic host around us, your mighty hand working for us day and night. We need reminders: I need reminders.


"Don't be afraid," the prophet answered. "Those who are with us are more than those who are with them." And Elisha prayed, "O Lord, open his eyes so he may see." Then the Lord opened the servant's eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.

2Kings 6:16,16