the birds of the air… November 10, 2009

I saw a scene like the picture reveals last week as I was driving down the freeway with one exception…there was an incoming bird and very little space for landing.

I wondered as I drove past and the birds withdrew from my vision…

Was there room for that bird?

 Did a couple of birds move over to make room?

 Or was that bird just plain bold, exerting its place on that lineup of fowl?

God has been working with me recently (well, actually  longer than I would care to admit) regarding living a life covered by Him.  A life that is not comprised by Jesus in addition to something else…be it people, performance or things.  Just Helen and Jesus…enough…more than enough.

I have felt like that bird attempting a landing.

At times I have circled overhead pondering the same questions that I posed earlier…

Will there be room for me?

Will someone want to move over and make room for me?

Do I have enough courage to just take my place?

I have sported different feathers in my hat…a  smooth  feather of perfection…when I only had to look in His eyes and see True Authentic Perfection.

A fully plumed feather of people pleasing…all the busyness left little energy to please the Lord.

“Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God?  Or am I trying to please men?  If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.”

Galatians 1:10

People Pleasing + Perfectionism= P-P-Pride

A life that is filled with pride is one that is consumed with self not Christ.

I remember Elisabeth Eliot saying words to the effect that a bird brings glory to God by doing what it was created to do.

The bird that I saw was doing what it was created to do…it flew…it landed…I am sure it ate and drank that day as well…perhaps it cared for its young.  I doubt that it worried about where it would land or would there be space…there would be room because there was always room…

A lot can be learned from that bird…God created each of us with a unique life …a life that is not to be concerned with worrying about whether there will be enough space for us in the crowd…or if others will heed the way for us to land on our feet.

With the Lord there is always room…there is never a question of being accepted…and if courage is needed, it proceeds from His hands…freely…liberally.

Jesus tells us that we are to be the branches to His vine…apart from Him we can do nothing…and that means n without Him no one will get to partake of that delectable fruit…

Soar like that bird…simply be the child He created you to be…attach yourself to Him…and a surprising thing might just happen…everywhere you set your feet…there will be a space that is shaped just like you…just for you.

 ”Look at the birds, free and unfettered, not tied down to a job description, careless in the care of God. And you count far more to him than birds.”

Matthew 6: 26 (MSG)

Considering those birds of the air,

Helen

Settle… October 10, 2009

 ^“So when we could stand it no longer, we thought it best to be left by ourselves in Athens.  We sent Timothy, who is our brother and God’s fellow worker in spreading the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith, so that no one would be unsettled by these trials. You know quite well that we were destined for them.”

I Thessalonians 3: 1-3 (NIV)

This passage grabbed my attention today.

In particular what caused me to pause and allow Paul’s words to linger was the word settle. Or more accurately, the word unsettled.

You see, we use that word a lot in our home.  Not with each other so much but it is spoken continually to our dog Hazel.

It is the word that we chose as a command to tell her to:

• calm down
• stop barking
• leave such and such alone
• stop creating such a fuss
• go and lay down
• affectionately to knock it off

I wonder if I realize how often God tells me to settle…to calm down…to stop my barking…or creating such a fuss…perhaps He would like me to just lay down and knock it off?  Perhaps I am prone to give the Lord the look that Hazel gives me when I tell her to leave those ever mocking squirrels alone.  You know those eyes…the ones that say…seriously?

Do I remember just like Paul told the Thessalonians that trials were their destiny?  I don’t have to copy and paste the verses that declare  that there will be trials.

I love the reminder to settle but I also appreciate that sometimes that may not be enough.  Paul wanted to make sure that the Thessalonians were standing firm…exercising their faith despite opposition.  He was willing to part with Timothy, one of his co-laborers, to strengthen and encourage these believers in their faith. 

We need each other because quite frankly sometimes we are just going to be unsettled by life.  I am so thankful for friends and family that speak words packed with vitality to me. It’s a bit like a verbal V-8.

This week I learned that sometimes encouragement can come when it isn’t even intended.

A dear friend of mine has had a dream…for a long time.  This week, that dream came true.  I am puffed up with joy for her…like more fluffy than my normal fluffy self.  But I realized that I was joyous for me too.  You see, she didn’t have to share her dream…and she didn’t even have to tell me that it was coming to fruition…but because she did…it helps me to believe…in dreams…to have hope…to walk in faith…that one day is not so far off.

We need to walk together…remind each other of the constancy and faithfulness of God…share the load…pack our bags and go where we are needed even if it means leaving the tasks at hand…we need to share our hurts and our dreams with one another…we need each other…I think it will help us to settle or not to become unsettled.

One final word, the KJV uses the word “disturbed” which the NIV translates as “unsettled”.

When I looked up this word in Strong’s…this is what I found…

A-5

Verb

Strong’s Number: g4525

Greek: saino

Move, Moved, Mover, Moving, Unmovable:

“properly, of dogs, “to wag the tail, fawn;” hence, metaphorically of persons, “to disturb, disquiet,” 1Th 3:3, Passive Voice, “(that no man) be moved (by these afflictions).”

 

I may never look at my dog the same way again…Hazel will be a vivid reminder to me…I will say it to her…and I will whisper it to myself.

 

Be encouraged,

 

Helen

 

 

 

 

 

You… September 21, 2009

“But you,

 when you pray,

 go into your room,

 and when you have shut your door,

 pray to your Father who is in the secret place;

 and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.”

Matthew 6:6 (NKJV)

I have been avoiding God. 

I still pray…I still read His Word…I still bask in saying the Office…I still get a flutter when I am seated with other pilgrims in my pew…I still feel the hurts and hardships of others and plead on their behalf however…

I have been avoiding God.

It could be this particular stretch of my life that leaves me breathless.

It could be turning 45.

It could be that I have so little answers…for so much.

It could be that I don’t really know where to begin.

As I read this passage in Matthew the other day…I saw it with new eyes…it is such a familiar verse…in fact, the girls and I used a catchy rhythm to remember this promise when they were wee ones.  I saw the word you written all through it.

This verse says a lot about the Father but it also says a lot about me…or you.

It tells me not if I pray but when I pray to go into my room…shut the door…and pray…because my Father is right there waiting for me in that secret place.  There is no doubt about it…He will be there…He’s waiting. 

I have been avoiding Him by going to my room and praying but not shutting the door…I have been giving the Lord only a certain amount of access to my mind and my heart. 

It is truly a rich blessing to know that He is waiting for me and that He longs to be with me in such an intimate way.  The first half of the verse is about me…the second half is about Him.  I am the foolish one…He is the faithful and abounding in mercy and love One…He is the One that heaps on another scoop of ice cream when I deserve slop.

He is camped out waiting for me to get quiet and private with Him…for me to share the deep things of life with Him…stuff that is just between us…and when that secret time is over…He goes a step forward and He will reward me…not in secret…which truly isn’t His presence reward enough…it says He will reward me openly…that word “open” means…to manifest…to make known…to spread abroad…outwardly, appear…

I have missed out…I missed the hidden as well as the revealed…but I have been reminded and ever  thankful for His Word…and I don’t have to hear “HEY YOU!”  twice.

Have you been shutting the door and going to the secret place?

Thirsty… July 1, 2009

I told Caleb I would stay until the first water break and then I would come back…before the end of class…

Caleb implored…but what time will you be back?

I said…about 15 minutes before class is over…around 10:15…

Okay Mommy, but who will watch me when you are gone?

Such heartbreaking words for a weary mom who wants just a few precious moments to herself.

Those moments flew with the breeze and I hurried as quickly as my stubby legs would escort me to the gym where Caleb played soccer.

As the Lord would have it, I returned to my place on the hard bench just in time to see Caleb being gently taken to the bench by his teacher for a rest after a tumble on the hardwoods.

A Mom…a little wee one…across the chasm of a gymnasium…ever increasingly moist eyes searching for who  belongs to those eyes…then eyes lock and lips begin to quiver and legs begin to race across the floor avoiding other running legs and a torpedo like ball…outstretched arms capture a sweaty boy who missed his mommy.

Mommy I’m thirsty!

The mom that I am…the mom that I have become just happens to have a water bottle filled with icy goodness…perfect for a parched little guy.

I need to run more often into the outstretched arms of my Father and breathlessly tell Him…

“Daddy, I am so thirsty!”

With the same confidence that Caleb knew that his body would be met with an embrace and sustenance that would satisfy his needs…I can be asssured that the Father will bring refreshment to my soul…whatever I need…whether I  lap up water in gulps like my dog or if I just take sips to keep me to filled to capacity…

How wonderful that God does not get tired like I do…that He is always watching even when I take leave and how He longs to fill me with Himself.

Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love
       and his wonderful deeds for men,

  for he satisfies the thirsty
       and fills the hungry with good things.

Psalm 107: 8-9

********

Jesus replied,

 I am the Bread of Life. He who comes to Me will never be hungry, and he who believes in and cleaves to and trusts in and relies on Me will never thirst any more (at any time).

John 6: 35 (AMP)

********

Have you not known?

 Have you not heard?

 The everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, does not faint or grow weary; there is no searching of His understanding.

    He gives power to the faint and weary, and to him who has no might He increases strength [causing it to multiply and making it to abound].

    Even youths shall faint and be weary, and [selected] young men shall feebly stumble and fall exhausted;

    But those who wait for the Lord [who expect, look for, and hope in Him] shall change and renew their strength and power; they shall lift their wings and mount up [close to God] as eagles [mount up to the sun]; they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint or become tired.

Isaiah 40: 28-31 (AMP)

*******

For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless toward him.

II Chronicles 16: 9a (ESV)

********

Nevertheless I am continually with You; You do hold my right hand.

    You will guide me with Your counsel, and afterward receive me to honor and glory.

    Whom have I in heaven but You? And I have no delight or desire on earth besides You.

    My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the Rock and firm Strength of my heart and my Portion forever.

Psalm 73: 23-26 (AMP)

*******

…and be satisfied with your present [circumstances and with what you have]; for He [God] Himself has said, I will not in any way fail you nor give you up nor leave you without support. [I will] not, [I will] not, [I will] not in any degree leave you helpless nor forsake nor let [you] down (relax My hold on you)! [Assuredly not!]

Hebrews 13: 5 (AMP)

*******

I hope that God is satisfying you with Himself and long cool swallows of His ever-present  goodness today!

Cracked… June 21, 2009

This has been a banner year for squirrels in our backyard.  Our dog has an extreme dislike for the creatures and I admit that I have developed a healthy distaste as well.

You see, they dig in my pots…they leave a trail of shells and earth behind them…they leave gaping holes in my planters and this year they have even taken to ripping off the leaves of my trailing strawberry plant.

Several years ago, I bought an aquamarine ceramic pot…a bit more expensive in my world but it happened to be 40 percent off and that made it doable.  I loved this pot…any plant that found a home within its margins looked heavenly.  Last year for some unknown reason, it developed a crack…not a huge one but just enough that I knew that it needed to be handled with care.  I left it empty and even without foliage it still made me smile when I looked at it…somewhat discarded yet still lovely.

This year, I looked at it sitting  unoccupied and decided that I would gently fill it with soil and sprinkle some nasturtium seeds and see if the pot would remain intact.  A couple days later, I decided to see if the pot needed watering and I found that the squirrels had completely made a mess of my pot…there was dirt and seeds all over the place.  I was a bit ticked and just left the mess to deal with later…but the next day, perhaps the squirrels had made a return visit and the pot was  completely cracked in two…earth bulging out to join earth below…

Call it laziness that I never got back to discard the cracked pot but I didn’t…it was hot and then it was not…and the past few days have bought lots of downpours.  I surveyed my backyard this afternoon and this is what I found and I let out a squeal of delight that would rival any little girl…

and this…

I hope you can see in these photos…several nasturtium seedlings…I wish you could see the one on the left side near the bottom of the pot…the seed is airborne yet growth is happening.

 This has been a season that has felt like I have been cracked down the middle.  A season that has been full of trials and triumphs…full of gaping holes and scoops of the good earth…unexpected messes and glorious surprises.  Just when I feel that I can’t bear another mess…God steps in and causes sprouts of hope…seedlings of new life born out of seeming death and destruction.  Paul was completely on target when he wrote the church at Corinth.

 ^“If you only look at us, you might well miss the brightness. We carry this precious Message around in the unadorned clay pots of our ordinary lives. That’s to prevent anyone from confusing God’s incomparable power with us. As it is, there’s not much chance of that. You know for yourselves that we’re not much to look at. We’ve been surrounded and battered by troubles, but we’re not demoralized; we’re not sure what to do, but we know that God knows what to do; we’ve been spiritually terrorized, but God hasn’t left our side; we’ve been thrown down, but we haven’t broken. What they did to Jesus, they do to us—trial and torture, mockery and murder; what Jesus did among them, he does in us—he lives! Our lives are at constant risk for Jesus’ sake, which makes Jesus’ life all the more evident in us. While we’re going through the worst, you’re getting in on the best!”

 

 ^“So we’re not giving up. How could we! Even though on the outside it often looks like things are falling apart on us, on the inside, where God is making new life, not a day goes by without his unfolding grace. These hard times are small potatoes compared to the coming good times, the lavish celebration prepared for us. There’s far more here than meets the eye. The things we see now are here today, gone tomorrow. But the things we can’t see now will last forever.”

II Corinthians 4: 7-12,16-18 (MSG)

I spent sometime reading  I Kings 19 this week…pondering over the account of a very weary and despairing Elijah.  I was impacted by how the Lord met him over and over again.  Twice He sent an angel to minister to him with food and water.  Once Elijah regained strength, he took off for a cave to hide…there he was blessed to behold the Lord  in a gentle whisper…how sweet is that?!  Twice the Lord asks Elijah what he is doing there?  Twice Elijah expressed  all that he had done and what was happening to him…all words that were true.  The Lord does not rebuke Elijah, as he stood at the mouth of the cave, for his weariness or fear…he simply instructs him in what to do next…get some help…the load is to be passed onto another.

I wonder how often I look at the cracked pot instead of the Potter?  How prone I am to complain about the overflowing soil and not the Creator of that soil? Do I believe cracks mar beauty?  Have I forgotten that the God who is intimately acquainted with all my ways and  allows messes into my life is the same God that can cause unexpected fruit in the midst of any situation and any condition? 

My first instinct was to scoop up those fragile sprouts and put them in a more secure vessel.  Courtney told me to leave them there…let’s see what happens…

Today I rejoice in being cracked…because in being split in two…God has increased the surface area for me to find Him…each Word is like a downpour on parched soil…be it the mouth of a cave or the newly expanded mouth of a pot…I can hear Him whisper my name…and I am whispering right back…I will stay in this cracked pot…let’s see what will happen.

Lord make me a seed that clings to your soil no matter the climate…no matter how impossible it may appear…no matter what…help me to be patient in waiting to see what happens…

Amen.

Reflections from the early days… April 26, 2009

Hi…I am not back from my hiatus.  I am still writing…still searching for a bit of direction…I have been reflecting lately…so I thought that I would reflect back on some “old” writing pieces…so I hope you enjoy these a second time or if you are newer to A Work of Heart…I hope you enjoy them as if they were brand new!

 

GOD’S SOUND BARRIER

I am an introvert by nature.  I love alone time…lately I crave time alone because it is scarce.  Sometimes I just want to putter around doing nothing in particular.  Other times I want to have an extended time with the Lover of my soul.  Carl feels that 15 minutes is enough time for him to refuel.  Perhaps I am a slow learner but I need time to marinate.

With three children and a dog, our house is anything but quiet.  Caleb’s normal speaking voice is a bellow and the girls do a pretty good job of adding to the decibel level as well. 

This past week I spent too much time hitting the snooze button which didn’t leave adequate time to have quiet times in the morning.  I would limp along until Caleb’s naptime, anxious to have some peace and quiet.

One such afternoon, I hightailed it to my favorite cozy spot ready to soak in the silence…I found anything but that.  If it wasn’t the crows cawing, the neighbor’s dogs barking, or my phone ringing, I found no relief.  I was just about ready to get up and do something else when it happened…it was amazing…it was perfectly silent.  I quickly shut my eyes, took a deep breath and felt my heart rate slow…now perhaps I could hear from God.  The moment was fleeting as by the next series of breaths, I heard a familiar noise of an airplane.  You know, that thunderous roaring boom of an plane breaking the sound barrier.  But in my case, God was breaking my sound barrier so that I could be taught to hear Him be it quiet or be it noisy.

Now for a quick physics lesson of which I am completely unqualified to give but I will try…be easy on me.

A sound barrier is defined as:

•  the apparent physical boundary (caused by a sudden increase in drag) preventing objects becoming supersonic. 

  In simplest terms, when a plane breaks this barrier, it creates a sonic boom, because it is traveling faster than the speed of sound. 

Drag is defined in many ways and can be used as a noun and a verb.  Alright, we all have probably thought that someone was a bit of a drag…that would be one usage of the noun. 

Another definition is: 

•  Hindrance, someone or something that slows down physical movement or progress in an area or activity.
  As related to aviation, resistance to motion. 

If I look at God as an airplane…being very mighty and powerful…I on the other hand could be described as the drag.  Being human and having a sin nature definitely is a hindrance, an obstacle.  Doing things my way instead God’s  way can also cause a huge resistance to motion and ultimately slows down my growth. My lack of belief or my fear can also become a physical boundary against what God desires to do in my life.

Is it possible that sometimes God must exert so much force against my resistance to get my attention?  When a plane breaks the sound barrier, the force (speed) is so great that the sound waves can’t get out of the way fast enough so they collect…causing the audible sound that we all recognize immediately.

I thought that the collection of sound in my life was too much to handle and definitely too much to be able to hear from the Lord.  I also found myself falling into the pattern of believing that if I couldn’t see evidence with my own eyes…nothing was happening and God was not moving.

“For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth to show Himself strong in behalf of those whose hearts are blameless toward Him.”
                                                          II Chronicles 16: 9

One does not have to look up to know that a plane is passing overhead.  I need to remember that God is with me and for me in the chaos of crazy days as well as silent nights. I need to relax my expectations and rest in Him regardless of my situation.  Resting in the truth that if God is for me, who or what can be against me! 

There will be days that I can’t hear anything be it quiet or loud.  There will be days that I can’t hold anything tangible in my hands.  And there definitely will be those days that I can’t see beyond my nose.  But…

God is there… breaking through the silence, crashing through any resistance I could thrust at Him, the sure and steady pulse amidst the cranked up volume and the invisible thread that is assembling my life together…piece by piece. 

Father, thank you for reminding me yet again that my vision is so obscured and my hearing needs to be tuned up.  Thank you that you are omnipresent in my days as well as my life.  Help me to trust You when life doesn’t seem to be as smooth and quiet as I would like…I stand in awe of this world that I live in and that not anything, not even a plane breaking the sound barrier can adequately describe the fullness of Who You Are and What You Have Done for me…words just don’t really come close…so all I can do is give You my life once again…because You know best.   And I can’t believe I am saying this but thank you for all the noises that allowed me to hear You!   

Amen! 

 

Beauty in the Waiting Revisited…

In honor of spring and all the new life I see pushing through the earth and by  request…I am pulling out a piece from the early archives (September 2006) of this blog…hope you enjoy it again or for the first time…

Chocolate…Flowers….sounds like standard Valentine’s Day fare.  But what would you say if I told you that there is actually a flower that emits the scent of chocolate?  I think you might agree that this a match made in heaven and completely calorie free!

Two years ago, I went to a new nursery in my area.  I wanted something different to put in my perennial garden.  After endless circling and asking a lot of questions, I came home with three plants: a passion flower, nicotiana and a chocolate cosmos. 

The passion flower was designed to provide me with a plant that would climb around the brick archway of our house and display an exotic looking flower. To say that it grew was an understatement.  I didn’t realize that it was evergreen and it GREW until it was a jungle on the side of the porch.  The first year it produced just one bloom and the year after it was covered with Star Trekky looking flowers. 

The nicotiana although classified as an annual provided me with a fragrant scent as one entered our home.  It was a fast grower and was instant gratification personified.  I hadn’t expected to see it the next year, but there it was again, blooming profusely and seeming quite at home.

The chocolate cosmos, I was told was a very tender perennial.  I was instructed to plant it close to the house, protect it from the wind and to dig it up before the winter, replant it in a pot, then return it to its place in the garden once the ground warmed enough in the spring.  I planted the chocolate cosmos and it became an instant conversation piece for me and the kids.  People marveled at this velvety brown flower with the strong Hershey’s scent.  I would like to say that it cured my love affair with Turtles and Milk Duds but it did not…but it still made me smile whenever I would see it buds peeking out of its surroundings.

Cut to this year, the passion flower was flourishing alright but it was popping up everywhere…can you say invasive!  It needed a machete instead of pruning shears and it’s tendrils grabbed at every nearby stem in its path as if looking for dominance.  During the spring it was transplanted to an area with a sturdier trellis to support its Tarzan like swinging.  It is very happy although we have yet to see a flower…I am confident that next summer it will put the hurt feelings aside and bloom where it is now planted.

The nicotiana, the supposed annual, has just kept coming back as it drops seed after seed and populates the soil. It is quite the carefree flower that even does its own deadheading and then at night, the breeze reminds you of why you are pleased it is a permanent resident with its sweet lingering aroma.

Last summer, I scolded myself because I forgot the instructions of the wise gardener.  I didn’t dig up the chocolate cosmos.  I will admit that I can be a bit of a lazy gardener.  By summer’s end, I am a bit weary of the constant watering, fertilizing, weeding, pruning and dead heading.  The girls and I looked and looked and  could not find any sign of the chocolate cosmos.  We just shook our heads and let out a collective heavy sigh.

Last week, while pushing back some very heavy laden and bushy four ‘o clocks, I noticed a plant hidden beneath the foliage I was trying to support.  Then I saw a  couple of tall stems and buds…and what did I see but my chocolate cosmos had returned.  I just peeked outside and the first unfolded flower has arrived…standing proud and confident.

God has given all of us many gifts.  Some gifts are so obvious and natural that they just explode from within us.  The passion flower did what it was created to do…grow vigorously and invade.  Let your gifts flourish and grow…allow them to invade the lives of others and bless them.  But remember that we all have more than one gift and sometimes it is important to use that dominant gift in a new way, perhaps in a new surrounding or to let some of the less used gifts have a chance to be stretched.

Some people are like the nicotiana.  They are easy going wherever they are positioned.  They take in the necessary nutrients and just bloom.  They leave a pleasant trail of fragrance behind them and they also leave evidence of their presence…seeds.  Be an encourager, a comforter, smile at strangers, share laughter…leave a residue behind…changing your world can be as simple as embracing who God has created you to be and sharing the real you with others.

Just where did that Chocolate cosmos go last year?  Maybe it was hiding?  Maybe it needed more time?  Maybe the winds did get too harsh during the cold season. Perhaps it just needed deeper roots. It could have been easily overshadowed by more showy plants.

Perhaps today you feel like you are walking into a strong headwind.  Possibly your best hasn’t been perceived as good enough?  Or even the risks you are taking seem foreign and new. Maybe you look to the left or the right and think someone else could do it better.  Did you forget to look up and then look in the mirror?

Rest assured that whatever you have to offer the world and to God will produce fruit.  It may be a swift evident growth.  It could be a slow steady climb or it could be something that appears dormant only to finally be revealed as a thing of beauty…a work of perfection.

Live fully…take risks…dust off your gifts and sprinkle, scatter and sow them over the world…create a new landscape by being who God designed you to be.

“Every good gift and every perfect (free, large, full) gift is from above: it comes down from the Father of all (that gives) light, in (the shining of) Whom there can be no variation (rising or setting) or shadow cast by His turning (as in an eclipse.)”
                                James 1:17 (Amplified)

“Some seed fell into good soil, and grew up and yielded a crop a hundred times (as great). “
                           Luke 8: 8 (Amplified)

“But as for that (seed) in the good soil, these are the people who, hearing the Word, hold it fast in a just (noble, virtuous) and worthy heart, and steadily bring forth fruit with patience.”
                                          Luke 8: 15 (Amplified)

I want to be caught…

Today is the first day back to normalcy…spring break for us is over…the staying up too late…sleeping in…doing things other than chores…you know, having fun!  We had a nice break from routine and it was a perfect balance of leisure and accomplishing a few tasks as well.

But I am ready to be back on track…ready to get up earlier again…to tackle the laundry…the clutter…I need some order once again.

Today I also realized that in about 8 weeks…my oldest will graduate from high school…I can’t even put the multitude of feelings that slosh through my being…but it is happening…and I feel a bit overwhelmed by the mere thought.

If you have a moment…will you read what I read this morning…Luke 24: 13-16:

“Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; but they were kept from recognizing him.”

 The New King James and Amplified Versions translate the above verses like this:

“Now behold, two of them were traveling that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was seven miles from Jerusalem.  And they talked together of all these things which had happened.  So it was, while they conversed and reasoned, that Jesus Himself drew near and went with them.  But their eyes were restrained, so that they did not know Him.”

“And behold, that very day two of [the disciples] were going to a village called Emmaus, [which is] about seven miles from Jerusalem.

    And they were talking with each other about all these things that had occurred.

    And while they were conversing and discussing together, Jesus Himself caught up with them and was already accompanying them.

    But their eyes were held, so that they did not recognize Him.”

This morning, I read the account of when Jesus walks with the two disciples on the road to Emmaus…how He teaches the twosome…He breaks bread with them…and finally they recognize Him…He appears to the other disciples…He declares peace to be with them…He allows them to feed Him…He opens their minds…they understand the Word…He is taken up from their view but not before blessing them…how they worship and are filled with great joy…they stay continually at the temple…praising God.

In fact, the Gospel of Luke ends with telling us that the disciples stayed continually at the temple, praising God…that’s what an encounter with the Risen Lord can do…it is accompanied by endless worship…JOY!

Imagine yourself today…burdened by many things…it could be high and lofty things…such as our world condition…so many that do not know our Lord…it could be things of earth…such as finances…disagreements…sin…fear…the future…a house of clutter…

Now picture that you are talking with your friend…maybe you are walking through a park…I hate to say in this day and age…you maybe driving and talking on your cell phone…you are discussing all that has happened…all that gives you pain…all that grieves your heart….and you don’t even realize that as you are talking and sharing the load…that Jesus has joined you…in the three versions it says…Jesus himself came up and walked along with them…Jesus Himself drew near and went with them…Jesus Himself caught up with them and was already accompanying them…

However…in each version, it also says that they did not know Him…recognize Him… or were kept from recognizing Him.  Why don’t we recognize or know Jesus when we see Him?  What can keep us from recognizing Him? 

I want to be caught! 

I want to know my Faithful Friend…I want to share all my cares and concerns with Him…I want to know Him and have eyes to really see Him…I want to allow Him to declare PEACE over my life…I want to be fed by Him…I want to use the gifts that are from Him to feed Him right back…I want Him to teach me…I want Him to open my eyes to His Word…I don’t want to miss His blessings…I don’t want to leave the temple…but remain…abide with complete joy…and full of worship.

I said at the beginning that I am overwhelmed by something that should only fill me with utter joy…I have not seen Jesus…I have been kept from recognizing Him by a multitude of stuff. 

Today I desire to lay down the stuff…that which keeps Jesus out of my line of sight…and ask Him what I am to pick up…what is straw…what is gold…

What keeps you from recognizing Jesus? Have you encountered Him today as you walked down your road?  Did His shoulder brush yours?  Did He lightly move the hair out of your face so you could fully take Him in?  Did your heart burn like the disciples?

Precious ones…He longs to draw near to you…let Him catch you today…won’t you?! 

It’s the ultimate game of tag…our job is to make the finding easy for Him!

 

What I learned from Stephen…

This week the cover to cover reading took us through the first 11 chapters of Acts and the first 3 chapters of James.  There is so much that happens in the book of Acts but in the interest of space and time…I wanted to share what stuck out to me this week.

The numbers of new believers was increasing each day, however, there arose a problem in the early church.  The Greek speaking believers felt that their widows were being overlooked in favor of the Hebrew speaking believers’ widows.  The Twelve gave immediate attention to this problem and appointed seven men who would take care of the needs of this group of widows.  The Twelve knew the importance of delegating so that they could keep preaching the Good News…their primary focus and calling.

Job Description:  Daily distribution of food to the Greek widows. (Acts 6: 1)

Qualifications: Seven men who are known  to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. (Acts 6:2)

The Seven:  Stephen, Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas and Nicolas.  (Acts 6:6)

About Stephen:  Stephen is described in these terms…”a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit”…”a man full of God’s grace and power”…”full of the Holy Spirit”.

Released:  The seven were presented to the apostles who laid hands on them and prayed over them.
                    (Acts 6: 6)

Initial Results:  The word of God spread…the number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly and a large number of priest became obedient to the faith.  (Acts 6: 7)

More about Stephen:  Stephen did great wonders and miraculous signs among the people.  He was opposed but they could not stand up to his wisdom or the Spirit by whom he spoke.  The only way they could attempt to stop him was to spread lies against him.  He was brought before the same Sanhedrin as Jesus faced…and when they looked upon Stephen to speak they saw that his face was like the face of an angel.  When asked to answer  the bogus charges, he spoke boldly of Israel’s rocky relationship with God.  When he finished, his accusers were furious and gnashed their teeth at him. But Stephen being full of the Holy Spirit looked up to heaven and saw the glory of the God and Jesus standing at His right hand.  The people began to cover their ears and yelled at the top of their voices, they rushed at him and dragged him out of the city and began to stone him.  They must have tore his clothes off him because they were laid at Saul’s feet.  During this horrible stoning, Stephen prayed for the Lord to receive his spirit…he then collapsed to his knees and cried out for the Lord not to hold this sin against them…then he fell asleep.  Saul was there…giving his approval to Stephen’s death.  On that very day, a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria.  We are told that godly men buried Stephen and mourned deeply for him.  The intensity of Saul’s destruction against the church went full throttle.  (Acts 6: 8-8:3)

Thoughts:  There are no menial jobs in the kingdom. There are not big jobs and little jobs…important and trivial ones.  The seven men that were chosen to “wait tables” were not chosen because they had strong arms to carry trays or possessed gourmet expertise…they were chosen because their lives showed that they were men that were wise and Holy Spirit filled.  The physical needs of others is just as important as the spiritual needs of others.

Stephen was asked to fill a role and he submitted to this position.  On his “off time” he performed wonders and miraculous signs…when you are filled with the Spirit…it will show in your life…it can’t be hidden.  He didn’t feel that he was burdened by taking care of widows that he needed some down time…he used what he had received from the Lord.  When he spoke, he spoke as a man of faith and wisdom…words that could not be refuted by others.  He knew the Word.  He was prepared in and out of season to give testimony to the hope that he had.  He pointed others to God but they only wanted to cover their own waywardness.  The truth hurts as it is said…so much so that the people could not bear to hear his voice.  Stephen’s viewpoint was in heaven even before the heavens opened up…in living or dying he would be a sacrifice…a sacrifice that caused believers to be scattered and preach the word wherever they went…perhaps Philip who served with Stephen became more courageous in his faith walk as he also performed miraculous signs and healed many…he opened up the scriptures to an Ethopian and baptized him…this sacrifice was witnessed by Saul and despite his threats to the early church, it ultimately would impact his life.  Saul, who would become Paul  would lose and regain his sight as he came face to face with the One in whom Stephen’s life was committed.  Although I do not read this section until Monday,  Acts 11: 19 tells how far the gospel spread as a result of the persecution in connection with Stephen…to Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch.  Barnabas took Paul to Antioch and for a whole year they met with the church there and it was here where the disciples were first called Christians. (11:25-26)

How fitting to read these verses in James today!

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” 

James 1: 2-4

“The brother in humble circumstances ought to take pride in his high position.”

James 1: 9

“Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.” 

James 1: 12

“What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, “Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.

 But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.”
      Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.”

James 2:14-18

“Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. 

 But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.”

James 3: 13, 17-18

I learned a lot from Stephen this week.  His life displayed what being completely surrendered to the Lord can look like…

I have struggled the past few weeks with that age old question of “what is my purpose?”  You see, I make lists…I can tend towards looking at the checked boxes as a direct relationship to my worth.  But today, I am a bit ashamed by my superficial and me-centered question.  I want to be like Stephen…I want to be known not by my supposed position in life or the roles that I fill but that I am a person of faith, wisdom, grace and most importantly filled with the Holy Spirit.  So that wherever I go, whoever I encounter will know that they have seen Jesus…whether I am washing dishes, preparing a meal or praying over someone who is in need of healing.  I want my life in Christ to splash onto the toes of those around me and in turn the Word spread in their footsteps to the next…to the next…to His Name be praised.

 

Okay…that’s enough reading for one post…I think I will do this again!

This last post was during the time that I was reading the Bible cover to cover chronologically with a group of bloggers.  Bev Brandon was the fearless leader and such a lover of God…she was recently diagnosed with breast cancer.  Please pray for her as she walks this journey.

Much love,

Helen

 

Wait…before I go… February 4, 2009

**Note…I would have taken a picture of my cookies but the plate is empty…not that uncommon in the Washington home…

I promised that I would post my favorite cookie recipe…I almost forgot…until I was baking off some the other night and poof…I remembered…

These are my all-time favorite cookies and my family’s as well.  I like them because you don’t have to plan ahead like taking out butter to soften and you can make make different variation depending on your personal preferences or just to change it up.

When my dad visits, I make oatmeal raisin because that’s his favorite cookie…otherwise I leave the raisins behind because Courtney isn’t that fond of the dried grape.  Have  a hankering for oatmeal scotchies…substitute the chocolate chips for butterscotch…don’t like much spice…leave it out…not a fan of nuts…no problem.

All-Star Cookies

1 cup of butter or margarine, melted (2 sticks)

1 cup of granulated sugar

1 cup of firmly packed brown sugar

2 eggs

1 t. vanilla

2 cups of all-purpose flour

1 t. baking powder

1t. baking soda

1 t. ground cinnamon

1t. ground ginger

2 1/2 cups old-fashioned oats or quick cooking oatmeal (uncooked)

1 1/2 cups chocolate chips

1/2 cup raisin (I prefer to chop these in a processor)

3/4 cup coarsely chopped walnuts or pecans

 

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Line baking sheets with parchment paper or grease them.

In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to mix butter and both sugars on low speed for about 1 minute.  Mix in eggs and vanilla until well-mixed, about 1 minute.  Add flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon and ginger.  Mix on low speed until combined, about 1 minute.

Add oatmeal, chocolate chips, raisins and nuts, mix until incorporated.  The mixture will be stiff. 

Drop the batter using a 2 inch ice cream scoop or by rounded spoonful.

Bake 12 to 15 minutes only.  DO NOT OVERBAKE.  The edges will be crisp, but the centers will be soft.  They will look underdone but will firm up considerably as they cool.  Immediately remove them from the pan to the wire rack to cool. 

*If you use a smaller ice cream scoop adjust the bake time accordingly.

**You can prepare the cookie dough and form it into logs and tightly wrap in plastic wrap and slice and bake…the cookies tend to bake quicker and spread…but still really yummy.

***If using rolled oats, you might want to give them a quick whirl in the processor so they incorporate into the dough better.

Enjoy!

Hiatus… February 2, 2009

This morning, I spent a lot of times writing this post…all to realize that I just needed to post or should I say re-post a piece that gives  the reason that I have decided to take a hiatus from A Work of Heart…it is a post that I wrote but needed to re-read myself.

I have a lot of posts gathering dust in the “draft” column…I seem to be at a stand still.  I think God has said to stop…for awhile…I don’t know how long…

I do know that God has been speaking to me about dreams again…the few dreams that I do have…and the dreams that I don’t even allow myself to consider.  If you choose to read the post below from the beginning of 2008, you will know why it is time to take a break and to allow myself to walk towards my dreams not away.  It is not an coincidence that I am studying Esther…for such a time as this…or that I am reading a book with a group that asks…what are your dreams?  It is not an accident that the whispers from others have become louder and louder…I can’t ignore or push it aside anymore…it is time that I laid this dream completely before the Lord and take the next steps…the steps that He wants me to take…not where I think I should step…A Work of Heart gave me courage…it has solidified my love of writing…it has been such a precious gift to me…a gift that is hard to lay down for a time…but I know that it is time…

I hope that you will also allow your mind to drift back to dreams of the past or spring forward to new dreams that He has for you…

I will see you on the flip side…or perhaps the other side…I would appreciate your prayers.  (Okay, I just revisited this last sentence and it sounds so dramatic…I don’t mean the BIG other side…I just mean once I get on the other side of this juncture in life…)

Helen

Are you a dreamer?

I would not consider myself to be a dreamer.  As a child, I don’t remember dreaming about becoming a bride or thinking about my wedding gown…of course, I played with dolls and pretended to be a mommy.  But I don’t really remember dreaming that often.  Even as an adult, I tend towards being more hopeful than actually dreaming.  I love to hear others speak about their dreams and sometimes just marvel at their details and faith.

One dream that I did have was to become a writer.  It was a dream that I held quietly within…no one but God and I knew for quite a long time.  Writing had been a thread that had tied my life together for always yet I didn’t recognize it until I was an adult.  How many annual reviews as a physical therapist did I receive where the constant emphasis was on the strength of my writing…could have been/should have been a red flag…but I would not admit it for many more years.

Once I did finally spit the words out to a few people close to me…the responses were polite and a sweet “Duh!”…and I was encouraged to pursue the dream…believe the dream…reach for the dream…

That dream remained dormant for quite awhile…one would think that by finally mustering the courage…the dream would be swiftly assembled and brought to completion…but it didn’t work that way…life crowds in…vision can be clouded…perhaps God says wait…not yet but soon…during this time, I remember a conversation with a person close to me and I began to talk about my writing attempts…and I am confident that this person meant no ill will to me or my dream said…”oh, the dream…(sigh) it makes me sad…at that moment, I felt like my dream had been crumpled up into a ball and tossed in the direction of the nearest trash receptacle.

This week’s readings spoke to me about our dreams…those that we have…those that are given to us…the reactions of others to our dreams and the care that needs to be taken in continuing to believe in those precious dreams…sometimes when those dreams seem to be against all odds…and lastly, how our Big God can have dreams for us that are beyond our wildest imaginations…all this is wrapped up in the life of Joseph.

Last week, we read that Joseph had two dreams when he was 17 years old.  In his youthful exuberance, he shouted it from the rooftops to his brothers and father.

Be careful who you choose to share your dreams with…Joseph’s brothers were already predisposed to lack affection for Joseph as he was favored by their father and we also learn that Joseph had given their father a bad report about them.  They already hated him and when he told them that he would reign over them one day, this declaration did not sit well with any of the brothers.  In fact, they hated him all the more.  Although Jacob loved Joseph dearly, he could not believe what Joseph was saying and rebuked him however, he did keep the matter in mind.

Dreams can be fragile and can be easily dashed by the disapproval, laughter and unbelief of others.  In the infancy of dreams, it may be best to spend time alone seeking the Lord’s heart about the dream.

Joseph’s brothers try to kill the dream by selling Joseph into slavery but it was God’s dream as well.  He was with Joseph and prospered everything he put his hand.  He was placed in Potiphar’s house…falsely accused…taken to jail…but even in prison, Joseph continued to find favor with others because God was with him.

A cup-bearer and baker also were accused but not falsely.  They each had dreams while in prison that they did not understand.  Joseph not only had dreams of his own but God gave him the gift of interpreting dreams.  Joseph interprets both dreams…one with a favorable outcome, to which Joseph asked to be remembered when the dream was fulfilled.  The other dream had an unwanted outcome.  Both dreams were interpreted correctly yet Joseph remained in prison…forgotten it seemed.

But wait…we are not finished with dreams…Pharaoh also had dreams which had no interpretation.  Alas now the cup-bearer remembers Joseph…he is sent for and states that he cannot interpret but God can.  When Joseph finishes explaining the dreams and the strategies needed to avoid certain death for all, Pharaoh agrees and is actually led to say,

“Can we find anyone like this man, one in whom is the spirit of God?”
Genesis 41: 38

and
“Since God has made all this known to you, there is no one so discerning and wise as you.  You shall be in charge of my palace, and all my people are to submit to your orders.  Only with respect to the throne will I be greater than you.”
Genesis 41: 39,40

Pharaoh’s words to Joseph must have been overwhelming and so much larger than what he had envisioned the dream he had delivered years ago to his family…and yet the dream was only partially complete.  Pharaoh gave Joseph a wife of a prominent Egyptian official.  Upon the birth of his sons he said this:

For Manasseh: “It is because God has made me forget all my troubles and all my father’s house-
                          hold”  Genesis 41: 51

For Ephraim:  “It is because God has made me fruitful in the land of my suffering.”  
                        Genesis 41: 52

Joseph was 30 years old when he entered his new role of service for the Pharaoh.  Thirteen years had passed since the birth of his dream…a time mixed with much sorrow, pain, suffering and injustice.   My Bible study notes say that Joseph went from shepherd to slave to convict to ruler.

As the famine stretched farther and farther, Joseph’s family of origin begins to feel the effect and must travel to Egypt in search of food and they come face to face with Joseph.  I find it so interesting that the brothers do not recognize Joseph but he immediately recognizes them.  I am sure Joseph looked different in his Egyptian attire and surely they never believed they would ever see him again.  Perhaps they never had really seen him…even when he lived among them. 

When sharing dreams with others…pick people that know you and really see you…pick those with discernment and always ones that are willing to take your dreams to the Father for the safest keeping.

Genesis 42: 8,9 says:

“Although Joseph recognized his brothers, they did not recognize him.  Then he remembered his dreams about them…”

At 17, Joseph had a dream…soon after his brothers sold him into slavery…he excelled and then was imprisoned…he excelled again and at age 30 became second in command over Egypt…there had been 7 years of plenty and only 2 of the 7 years of famine when Joseph sees his brothers’ faces for the first time in 22 years (if my math is accurate)…it is only then that he remembers his dream…a dream that had been buried for years and tossed into a cistern…time had mellowed Joseph and he does not mention this dream…but he remembers it.

This is what Joseph has to say about the dream once he revealed his identity to his brothers:

“Come close to me…I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt!  And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you…But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance.”
Genesis 45: 5,7

Joseph comforts his brothers:

“Don’t be afraid.  Am I in the place of God?  You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.”
Genesis 50: 19-20

Joseph had a dream…a God-given dream…a dream that took many twists and turns and at times was forgotten…abandoned…but God never forgot and He was with Joseph every step on the way to fulfillment…a dream that grew exponentially from the one that Joseph believed in his teens.

Are you a dreamer?  If so, what is your dream?  Have you grown weary of waiting?  Does the reality of your life today weigh heavier than your dreams?  Do you feel you don’t qualify to dream?  Have others scoffed at your dreams?  Did you have a dream but you have forgotten it?  Do you think that dreams are for only the young at heart?  Do you think it is too late to dream?

Maybe it is time to go before the Lord and spend some time together lingering over your dreams…His dreams for you.

Wherever you find yourself today…start dreaming and keep on dreaming…ask God if your dream is too small…He may say it is time to expand your vision…I know that I am going to stop hoping and do a bit more dreaming…putting my faith in a God who is able.  Dust off those dreams that you have discarded and go before the Lord and get His heart, mind and eyesight.  Remember He is always with you even when you find yourself veering off course and in a foreign land…who knows…it could be all apart of His wondrous plans and purposes towards you.

Oh, and one last thing…for all you dreamers and wannabe dreamers:

“Now to Him Who, by consequence of the action of His power, that is at work within us, is able to carry out His purposes and do super-abundantly, far over and above all that we dare ask or think [infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes or DREAMS]–To Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations forever and ever. Amen (so be it)”

Ephesians 3: 20, 21 (Amplified) 

Original post with comments: here

**Don’t forget…you can always read the archives…especially if you are new to my blog.

***I may not be writing on this blog for awhile but I will be reading your blogs…that’s for sure!

 

What I am loving these days… January 27, 2009

I’m back…I didn’t intend to be missing in action since the giveaway…but I just never got back and then I  have been struggling with a piece that a friend of mine (kimz) suggested that I put on the proverbial shelf and move on…

So I am moving on…I thought I would share a few things that are making my life full of happy…

This lactose-intolerant gal is loving…

During my first pregnancy, I developed an intolerance to milk…and now that it has been almost 20 years…I am so glad that there are so many brands of soymilk…but Silk is my favorite…and I also love their creamer too.

Lasagne in a pinch…

Is this the greatest invention ever…seems like I tried some brand of no-boil lasagne years ago and the recipe recommended adding boiling water or something like that…anyway it was an expensive disaster.  But these noodles make lasagne a snap…I made a large batch of sauce a couple weeks ago and made spaghetti one night and froze the remaining sauce and made lasagne tonight…it is a thing of beauty.

Great read…

Living Prayer by Robert Benson

Thanks Joanne for the endorsement.  I really loved reading this book especially because Robert Benson is so humble and earnest in his desire to live a life that is carved by prayer.  It felt a bit like I was listening to a friend talk about meeting with the Savior over a cup of tea.  It was a delight.

I underlined a lot of the first part of the book and then decided to just sit back and read…I will underline…when I read it again…here’s a couple of quotes…

**We cannot hear the Word because our own words are in the way
We cannot be filled with God until we are not so full of ourselves.  Our hearts and minds, wonderful as they are, are simply too small.  We cannot give our hearts to God, or anyone else for that matter, as long as they are too heavy for us to lift.**

**In any life of prayer, one will live through and pray through seasons of great certainty and conviction.  Seasons when one is acutely aware of belonging to God, of being chosen and being marked for some particular time and some particular place and some particular work for the kingdom.

There must also be seasons of prayer in which you must pray for suffering, for brokenness, for the most blessed of the gifts that make us the Body of  Christ, and that make that Body available to be shared with any and all of us.  You can’t be multiplied enough to be shared.  You can only be broken enough to be shared.**

New Study…

Already this study of the book of Esther has been eye opening…such a familiar story…but I have a feeling that this story is going to invade my own life story.

Words…Words…Words…

The word(s) or word phrases that I have been meditating on for this year are…

The other side…you can read more here…

I’m trusting Him that He is sticking close as I head to the other shore in different areas of my life…He’s with me and the other side is a foregone conclusion…because He has declared it…I just need to remember that more often when storms pop up out of nowhere.

My scripture for this year is Psalm 34…

It’s all about Him and in this 22 verse psalm LORD is used 16 times…which leads me to my second word of the year…good…this psalm uses it 4 times…

“Taste and see that the LORD is good” (8)

“but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing” (10)

“Whoever of you loves life and desires to see many good days” (12)

“Turn from evil and do good;” (14a)

Good…Who God is…two blessings and a command…it’s all good.

That’s a little bit of what I have been up to while I deal with hitting the writing wall.

Next time…I will share with you my all-time favorite cookie recipe…it’s pretty incredible…trust me…it will be worth the wait.

Tell me what you are reading…eating…drinking…what verses have been hard hitting lately…what are you studying in the Word…I would love to know!

Helen

We have a winner… January 16, 2009

Good morning…I am a little late getting this posted…

It has been a fun week of tea…I have loved reading all your comments on what your favorite hot beverage is…I even got an email from a friend that had tried the London Fog tea latte with a friend and they loved it as well.  Courtney and I have been making our own and we call them the Oregon Fog…and it has actually been a bit foggy some mornings here in Portland.  It has actually been a sweet time for us to brew our tea in a pot and relax during the evening together…a nice new ritual in the making…and a mini bonus…I don’t find myself wanting a snack…because the tea has been our dessert.

I was able to randomly give away some tea packets and it was a lot of fun as well…probably my favorite was to my neighbor who is a grandmother who has been caring for 4 grandchildren…she gets so little rest…when I asked her if she liked tea…her eyes sparkled and I ran inside to get her a package…I told her to put her feet up once the kids are all at school…she said…I’m not waiting…I’m doing it now!  God has redeemed my drawers and brought a little cheer to spread around.

Now down to business…I thought I would ask Caleb to pick a number between 1 and 12…first he picked 13…then I asked him again trying to explain it better so he picked 1000…

So…it must take a high school education, so once I returned from dropping Caleb the number guy at school…I asked Carlen who had just returned from her 7am math class…can you say ugh…but those numbers were churning around her brain and she was happy to pick a number…so the winner of the giveaway is:

 

                                                                 9

That number corresponds to Kierstan…

So congratulations Kierstan…no mailing needed…I will bring it to you on Monday at Bible study…sorry I am adding a few teas to your drawer…

Have a wonderful weekend and thanks for reading A Work of Heart…you all make my day!

Helen

Note…I was just going to press publish when my phone alerted me of a new email…it was a comment from Gayle…who actually would be comment number 13…is Caleb prophetic…anyway, send me your address Gayle and I will send you a package of teas…you can email me at  wassuphelen at yahoo dot com.