"THESE HANDS"

 

I beheld her hands as she lay there nearly lifeless. A dear and precious part of my life..as she breathes out what would be the last few hours of the breath of life that God, so many years ago, had breathed into her. 

My maternal grandmother, Ethel. Her frame... had now become so tiny it seemed,..  and these precious, tired, weathered old hands lay upon her, nearly lifeless body.

My mother stood there, gazing down upon her own dear mother's frame. The whole atmosphere in that Hospital room held that very moment of grief, of sorrow...and the process ticked by slow motion,... as that separation would soon come...and all, too soon. From where, had time so swiftly flown?

In that moment, I noticed my mother's hands. And I looked back and forth between hers and grandma's...and then I saw mine. Clearly, genetic markers were woven through DNA strands to weave out the resemblances of three generations of women whose lives were so different, yet similar.

This moment,... this moment,... brought all of us together in one time and one place for this last moment. The last time the three of us would share on this side of the veil.

I took Mom's soft, trembling hand in mine; gently laying it beside Grandma's and then I placed mine beside. "Look Mom! (I said)...Our hands look all the same!" God designed it so throughout these generations.

That was a precious, a sacred moment that has remained with me throughout these now many years. Grandmother passed away the following day. 

While my brother and I returned to TN, Grandma yielded up her last breath in IL, to the One who had given it.

Her funeral brought testimony of her precious witness and all the lives she had touched while she had journeyed here. My mother bore witness,...so many years ago.

Nearly nine years ago, I too, had to walk that shaded valley. As I watched my mother slowly and agonizingly slip away from this life,...These hands stood out. A reminder of that previous moment in time, years before.

Not long after Mom left for Heaven, one of her nurses presented me with a gift. A picture of my mother's hands. One she had taken when caring for her; of them laying upon her lap. She placed a lace border around it; along with a poem, "A Mother's Hands." That gift was one of the most precious to me.

Today, I am more observant of the hands of my children, grands, and greats,...of siblings and extended family members. I can see other resemblances, I hardly noticed before. As if somehow, these hands; awakened me to sight...to markers of God's intelligent design.

I see "These Hands" in my daughter. Though hers are so tiny, yet they are fashioned the same...as mine, Mom's and Grandma's. I'm getting a bit old now. If you look at my hands you would see the crepe-ing, wrinkled, slightly spotted, aging coming to pass. "These Hands"... like leaves that will soon fall from the tree when Autumn winds harshly blow and cool rains plunder down...

"These Hands"...

I see Grandmother, and Mother there. I see the hand of God; who in his infinite wisdom, designed it so.

"These Hands"... Rocked cradles, diapers bottoms, wiped sweaty brows, mended wounds, held loved ones, worked fields, planted seeds, hoed gardens, carried loads, prepared foods, laundered clothes, sewed buttons, picked flowers and washed fruit, nursed sick, stoked fires and put out emotional ones, welcomed guests, stroked pets, opened and locked doors, steered horses, climbed trees, played ball, wrote letters, filled hungry mouths, molded cookies and baked bread, wiped tears and held loved ones hands at death. 

"These Hands"... 

These hands were clasped in prayer to the unseen hands of God; who designed,,,

"These Hands."

I am so thankful...for "These Hands!"

Thorns

He warned me, but I  went on anyway. I heard his wise words and weighed them out... but what lay beyond those thorns... drew me like no other. Ih never hesitated in my steps; buthurried on, further still. At last I reached the thicket and I found a way into my desired lust. My journey in didn't seem all that bad. A few knicks and scrapes, but nothing that I couldn't withstand for the pleasures that lay just within my grasp. Oh, the enticement! ... and the warning. The guilt became faint as I pressed on. I was blind to what was truly happening to me. As I went on further, the thorns embedded themselves; first within my clothing and later...I felt the pricks within my flesh. No real harm was done, I thought. My selfish need for self- gratification outweighed those pricks. My head, my hands, my sides, my feet... They all took minor cuttings. But, the enticement and desire for the forbidden lay just beyond...just a little deeper... The closer I got to it, the more insatiable my thirst. Until at last I embraced the object of my affection...I withdrew of the succulents of sinful fruit and believe me; I drank it to the full! All too quickly, the deed was over. I saw the truth of my estate. .. The further I had pushed toward the "thing"... the more entangled I had become... and after partaking of pleasures brief season; the object of affection had left...no...cruelly abandoned me! And I was left with the reality of my demise. I lay there entangled with thorns great and small. Thorns that had seductively covered and clung to me with a gently grasping and pulling; while piercing me from head to toe... through my garments, into my flesh...into the depths of my soul. And with the piercing came the searing heat, cause by the induced poison by which each thorn emitted. I was cut to the very heart. No! Deeper still...the soul. As I lay in the tangled web of my own weaving...As I lay covered in blood and writhing in pain. ..my tears began to flow at the fierce and swift memory of, "His Warning." I cried! I cried out to the mocking, lingering, jeering shadows. I lay spoiled by my own choices and I wept a bitter weeping. Full of despair...my mind raced with scene after scene, carried out by my own evil heart and the end thereof. Somewhere, in the midst of my distress...I heard him. I thought at first, it was only the torment, the memory of his voice... but, no.... He was calling out to me. My own dear Savior had come to my rescue! He had heard my cries and was not ashamed to enter into the mess I had created, and rescue me. He had come to set the "captive free." I never realized the cost...the pain. I struggled against his freeing me.  I would twist and turn to resist.  The thorns that had bound me,  would be the ones to pierce his flesh and wound him. I saw him bleed! "See! From his head, his hands, his feet"...I heard him whince. I watched as tears flowed down his face... and in this moment, I realized that the consequences of my choice. .. my sin... had torn him. My own sin had far more effect than I could have ever known... The thorns that held me bound, would require the Savior's blood. He sacrificed himself willingly for someone unworthy; someone he had warned... and that someone, was me. He stood before me; covered in blood.  He had become my sacrificial lamb. I had been caught in the thicket of my own sins and yet, he willingly, lovingly, bore the full penalty to free me. Suddenly, I realized the glories of that freedom! For wherever his blood was shed; wherever he  had touched my flesh; those wounds were healed! Each  stripe, each cut, had been covered by his blood, by his love. I was made whole at last!

He place his right hand on my shoulder and kissed my brow. Then he laid one tiny thorn in my palm and said, 

"Enticements will surely come and strong though they may be, Remember this thorn, a gentle warning and submit yourself to me.

I paid full price, purchased by blood to set the captives free. This thorn is your reminder to obey and honor me."

The Fruit of Love

The first mentioned "Fruit of the Spirit" is LOVE.

If this fruit is not manifested and expressed in our lives, it will be impossible to proceed on to the next fruit, "JOY."

God wants joy for us!

Without genuine "LOVE"... there will be no "JOY"...

Only sorrow.

Therefore, we will experience a relationship of slavery and not sonship. 

"My little children, let us not love in word, but in deed and truth."                 1 John 3:18

               

Life: God's Great Adventure

Update:

Sometimes it feels as if life is predictable. There are times that we methodically go about our days with a sense of routine. In these times we settle into a mindset that things will never change...they will always be the same. It's just like God to show up in those moments and present you with a challenge that will shake the very foundations of your faith and place a path before you into the great unknown.  You know that He would never lead you into darkness or harm and you know that what He challenges you to do, He will provide the grace for the journey. This is our story: For just a little over a month ago, God confirmed that He is leading us into an area we have never gone before and at our age and situations... it seems totally foolish to even consider such a thought. But God...has clearly shown us again and again that he desires for us to. .."Follow!" After I realized that the thought of laying everything down and following the Lord in this was becoming a reality. ..I held onto my bed and cried out to God! "This is just a test!... Right? ... Surly you would not ask this of us at this season of life. You really don't want us to leave everyone we love behind?" We are five days from setting sail for; as my husband likes to refer to it: .."one more adventure. "

May 1, 2016...we followed. 

 

We moved to SC and helped in ministry there for one year. It was one of the best decisions we could have made,  especially for one of our children. This move was a pivitol change in his life and he had been blessed ever since.

I know the Lord helped us to bless others, even if just a short time. We have made lasting friendships and connections and left a piece of our hearts there with those we love. 

So, bringing you to the present day. 

We decided that due to Gary's reoccurring health issues, it was best to move home.  

Since returning, we have ministered in various places and have waited in God's "next adventure" for us. He has shown us some beautiful things and we have met some more of God's family along the way. 

I'm getting ready to start this blog over and try to be a greater blessing to those who read the words I believe that God would have me to share. 

So, here we go....

"Healing Thoughts"

The Bible says: "By HIS STRIPES WE WERE HEALED." PAID FOR! DONE! FINISHED! I AM NOT FORGETTING HIS BENEFITS...WHO HEALETH ALL MY DISEASES. LET THE HEALER COME...LET THE CHURCH ARISE AND CALL GOD'S WORD, "TRUE."  LET'S  STAND AND SEE GOD'S SALVATION! JESUS....COME!  I WANT TO BEHOLD HIS HAND OF LOVINGKINDNESS MOVE IN HEALINGS AGAIN. IN MIRACLES IN SIGN AND IN WONDERS. WE NEED IT. OH GOD, HOW WE NEED A FRESH REVELATION OF A TANGIBLE,  LOVING FATHER'S TOUCH IN THESE LAST DAYS. REACHING WAY PAST THE VEIL OF SEPERATION AND APPLYING THE BALM MADE BY THE BLOOD OF JESUS STRIPES.                                                          There is a Savior whose blood cleanses every sin stain. There is a Healer who heals every disease.  It's the same blood!  From his head or hands, his side, back or feet... The blood is sufficient! 

"Let the Church Be the Church!"

 It is time to stand up for the church. If we would see her as the BRIDE period...no matter what she is facing and run to her aid when she is broken and quit commenting about how she ain't what she should be or could be or used to be....blah blah blah...(forgive us Lord)....and make her well again by us BEING HER!  GET IN THERE and LOVE ON JESUS, LOVE ON HIS CHILDREN ...the family of God. SERVE ALONGSIDE ONE ANOTHER IN LOVE AND UNITY... and....LOVE HER BACK TO HER BEAUTIFUL SELF...THE BEAUTIFUL BRIDE GOD HAS CALLED HER TO BE...INVEST IN HER...BRAG ON HER...BEAUTIFY HER... It really isn't about us....It's about JESUS great sacrifice so that others won't be eternally lost; teaching and admonishing them to live godly until he comes... and his CHURCH should be triumphant especially in these last days. Sometime's life is hard. Sometimes there are seasons even in the church. PRAY! We need more prayer than ever before. The enemy wants nothing more than to close more churches and get more pastors and leaders to quit their ministries. These are the most evil days I have ever experienced in my life! WE have been commanded to (having done all..... STAND. Stay connected! Quit petty arguing and being easily offended! Remember, there are many around fighting horrific battles they haven't told anyone about. They are hurting and need to be loved. Sometimes people do unkind things because they need someone to reach out and love them. They can't take another disappointment. Have you ever been there? Do unto others (at church) as you would have others do unto you.  Stay committed! Be as faithful the the church as you would other things you are faithful too. AND JUST STAY...no matter how dark...God will come and save his BRIDE! Bloom where you're planted.If you don't like something...help that something become better by getting involved. Use what God has given you to use. Produce some fruit. Don't just die on the vine. For heaven sake, don't beat her while she is down. QUIT BEING A QUITTER! Come on! Let's stop looking for a new bride! LET's be the CHURCH that finally hasn't got a spot or wrinkle...and has made herself ready for her LORD.

By His Stripes!

Remember, Jesus suffered those stripes for our healing. We have no problem believing for salvation... and that once we are saved it purchases an eternity in heaven. But we have a harder time believing HE still heals. ..I tell you it is the same blood! Jesus suffered that whipping of his back...his flesh laid open down into the very marrow of the bone so every disease would be healed. Doctors say there are 39 major disease categories and that every disease falls under one of those 39.  Jesus was lashed 39 times. I guess he has it covered. Hallelujah!   I look to the blood that is on the mercy seat ...paid in full. I may not look healed and there are days I don't feel healed. ..But HIS WORD SAYS, BY HIS STRIPES WE WERE HEALED! GLORY TO GOD!  NOW BEAUTIFUL CHILD OF GOD. ...REST IN HIS FINISHED WORK. HE LOVES YOU!