Jean's Blog

Many of you know the Bible account of Mary and Martha.

Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word. But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her. ~Luke 10:38-42

Well, recently, I have chosen the path of Mary versus Martha. Truth is the Lord began to woo me to “Mary’s place” with Him. You see, what was unknown is, there were some important things to learn. To change. Adjust.

God graciously gave me the gift of extra quiet time in the mornings. A blessing only because of His grace.

These mornings have brought about some areas in my life where change was needed. Change for the better.

First thing, was dealing with forgiveness. I did not even realize a need to work at forgiveness existed inside my heart. Hard work too. Hard.

Hidden away in the recesses of my heart were black stains. Stains that were beginning to effect more of my heart. As Jesus’ revelation came to me about this, I could see some areas were graying. All because of unforgiveness.

I bought and read a book earlier this year entitled 31 Days of Forgiveness. Soaking in the information like a sponge. It was very good. For someone who has this problem, I said to myself. I can use this as a help in ministry. Words began returning to my mind. Applications of grace and hard work. Identifying the problem. Releasing the bitterness that was being built up. Whew. God forgave me when I asked Him, and released me from the guilt that generally follows failure.

It was not against any one person or situation specifically – my anger – yes – anger; but a compilation of things that were building. Leaving by the way of the altar every time we are in service is so important.

Getting so caught up in my responsibilities, left me broken.

Our mind, body and spirit are all wrapped up together in one frail package made of dirt. Every area on the package is labelled “FRAGILE.” Or at least it should be; because we all can be broken. We may be broken and not even know it. Our joy is gone. Our days ho hum. Friends – not today, I don’t feel like it. If that is you sweet sister, it’s Mary time.

There are so many broken pieces in my physical and spiritual being, which happened in unison, I asked the Lord what goes where.

His answer. As it was in the valley of dry bones, so it is with the broken pieces of your life, my child.

And he said unto me, Son of man, can these bones live? And I answered, O Lord God, thou knowest. Again he said unto me, Prophesy upon these bones, and say unto them, O ye dry bones, hear the word of the Lord. Thus saith the Lord God unto these bones; Behold, I will cause breath to enter into you, and ye shall live ~Ezekiel 37:3-5

I began to speak life into my spirit. The promises of God from His Word. Each shattered piece began to find their place nearing wholeness.

Shattered dreams became beautiful prisms of light making my life more colorful and beautiful.

As I continue to meditate on God’s Word and His goodness, the pieces are getting stronger. God’s grace is the glue bonding together the complete frame. My frame. My life.

Thank you stopping by.

See you around the path.

Photo Credit: CreativeCommons/Flicker/tinamathis

I’m joining Lisa-Jo Baker, and the #fiveminutefriday gang over at her place.

It’s great fun. We write freestyle for five minutes flat. No backing up, no second thinking. Set your timer and begin to create. You can find out all the details here.

GO

When we arrived at Lackland AFB, Texas to begin my basic training, my stomach had butterflies.

So excited to be a part of this new venture. When I told my parents about volunteering for the US Air Force, my mother cried and my father (who had been a lifer in the Air Force) said: “Oh no you’re not.”

As tears dried and reality sunk in, I explained this decision was my time to jump into a cause which would not only make a difference in my life, but in others.

Crying each time the flag would be lowered on the base at the end of the day, my ties to patriotism was strong.

My first set of orders were to go to Sembac AFB, Germany. Again, ready to make the big jump. Excited and dreaming about being in a country where my father spent a great deal of time. He would tell us about the beautiful landscape. I could hardly wait.

Two weeks later my orders were changed and I was re-stationed to Texas – my home. Thinking my dreams of life in the military and all it meant had been dashed, it was not long after being at Carswell AFB in Ft. Worth, I realized why God asked me to get on board.

My first child was born while there. My father had a major heart attack while there. My favorite aunt died while there. My best friend was reassigned to the base while I was there. My sisters each had their first children while there.

So many great things came of my stay there, and my blind jump off the cliff to volunteer for the US military.

Sometimes closing your eyes and jumping with what you know in your heart is right, gives you the courage to move forward.

STOP

Got five minutes? Come and write with us! (<—Tweet this!)

When unexpected events take place our hearts often feel torn in half. Our breath momentarily stops. Our knees weaken. We struggle.

Our brains are like rubber.

We cannot comprehend what we do not know. Sights, sounds, and smells bounce off us as if there is a shield round about us.

God, in His mercy, becomes our strength to stand up. He covers us with a shield so we can work through the now.

We move about. Reach to others, or simply lift our cries to Heaven – Jesus. Jesus. No other words. Because we know, He knows. He does all things well. Just right here and now, well, why. Why?

Death, impairment, massacres, and many other occurrences which make up life on earth render us numb. Only briefly. Then, as if a hammer has been slammed on our foreheads, reality sinks in. It hurts. Sometimes so bad we cannot utter words. Tears fail us. We begin to replay the words or episode over and over in our mind, until our brain allows us to process.

We become one in community. One in spirit. One in love, charity, and compassion.

Moved by our deep desire to help others, we press forward through the pain of the now. Because, we have experienced God’s mercy. His grace. We are His hands and feet in this world.

The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in Him. ~Psalm 28:7

This is what happened on Patriot’s Day,  April 16, 2013, in Boston. God became our strength and shield as the bombs exploded at the Boston marathon’s finish line.

People united. In community they moved, loved, touched. They continue this spirit today. Knowing this is not the end of it all.

It is something we may never understand. But we will forgive. We will move on. We will pray. We will unite and stand as a nation in community with each other.

My deepest sympathy and earnest prayers for each and every individual touched by this senseless act of violence.

Yours in Christ and community ~Debra

God bless the USA.