I told you so...

We have flu-like symptoms. Sick of windexing (no Lysol around) the germy germs which are likely covering every pillow, doorknob, light-switch, drawer-pull… you name it, in my home, I went out to water my droopy pansies.
Ahhhh… how quickly I forget the way magnificent 70 degrees feels on short-sleeved skin. I watered all the pansies, even refilling the watering can (don’t normally do that). Running back inside, I put Christian down for a nap, and announced to Belle, “Mommy’s going to rake!” I needed more of this glorious outdoor goodness.

Daffodils, they are such a sweet little present each year. I mean, seriously, you’d think by now, we wouldn’t be surprised to see their little green heads pop up. They just seem early, don’t they!? My kids pluck them faster than they can grow. (There’s a delightful drinking glass with three, torn at unique heights, gracing my desk now.)

So, I was raking and thinking about how glad I was to see those little guys (daffodils). Being somewhat sidetracked, I started to pick up a wheelbarrow-full of pinecones and sticks. And you know what I saw, as I repeatedly bent and picked? Little bits of green - green in the midst of the barren brown. The new grass is here! My heart sang "yay!"

Jesus told her, “I am the resurrection and the life.[a] Anyone who believes in me will live," John 11:25

And there was that green and those daffodils, and me thinking of how He makes all things new, and the Lord whispering... I told you so.


p.s. I hear there are storms coming tonight.
…And, I’m okay with that too.

God of Wonders

Well, this is the first of my blogs. No promises here. I'm aiming for 1/month. :) The kids are in bed for a nap (Belle's sick, otherwise she'd be up), and my house is clean (by my standards). It's a Saturday and we are at home. These events rarely line up and leave me with choices. Today I choose to blog... hopefully I'll be back again in March.

Your ways, O God, are holy. What god is so great as our God? You are the God who performs miracles; You display your power among the peoples. Psalm 77:13-14

I believe.
This week... actually yesterday, I picked up my Believing God (Beth Moore) Bible study. Never finished it a few years ago. In fact, I began this study at a time in my life when I consistantly didn't see things through, nor did I rely on my Lord to see me through, when I was ill-sufficient (i.e. always). I would like to cautiously say that I now qualify for the "doing-better-category," here. My resolve is strengthened by intentional habit but so much moreso by God's firming impression in my flimsy clay. I recently crossed the finish-line of a few Bible studies... (not an accomplishment that I'm boasting about. That alone is a testimony of God-in-me minus the Kelly.) Craving more, I pulled out an already purchased piece of wisdom, which leads me to today.
I believe.
I believe in spite of "as seen on tv" reality. Let me quote Beth for a minute (yeah, we're on a first name basis).

"While heaven is the ultimate land of God's promise, the concept of a promised land has profound applications in our earthly lives, just as it did in the lives of the Israelites. In essence, my "promised land" is the place where my theology merges with my reality.
...Our promised lands are places where God is willing to work untold wonders but He desires two critical preparations from us: faith and sanctification."
oh and: "Sometimes God may prioritize the faith required to continue trusting Him when we don't get what we ask over the faith required to receive it."

Man, I am prepping for a promised land. Most of you know that I've been divorced now for nearly 3 years - separated for more. The Lord has led me (in spite of me) to the edge of a miracle. He's told me to prep for reconciliation, redemption, and ressurection of a dead marriage - yep, a miracle. Faith and sanctification... oh how I lack.

Praise You, oh Lord that You grant us HEAVEN, eternal life, in spite of the grossness that we perpetrate... change my thoughts of me, Oh Lord, cover them in Your blood, remove me, humble me, radically transform, that nothing but You and Your glory remain.

All earthly, temporary, "easy" odds say, give it up girl. You gotta look out for you. "You know that sounds great..., but that doesn't really happen." But my Lord says, "I HATE DIVORCE." (see Malachi 2:16, Matt. 19:1-12, 1 Cor. 7:11) I dare to say - He means it! He means it for America, the culture of 2008. HE'S NOT KIDDDING.
And then my Lord says!, "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened." (Matt. 7:7-8). Dude, I've got one hand on the door and one on the doorbell. And I will not let loose. I choose to believe in spite of overwhelming tangible evidence that says to give up, take my parting gifts and go on... down a "realistic" path. But that's not our path. We are to "bear the likeness of the man from heaven" (1 Cor. 15:47). Did this man from heaven ever question the end result? Did our Lord, Jesus Christ, say you know, you're right, I should just hop off this cross and prove my power. NO... I will say it again NO. Death has NO sting. Dead marriages have been defeated through faith when we dare to say, "I BELIEVE."
Thanks be to God, who gives us victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Dear friends, stand firm. LET NOTHING MOVE YOU. Your labor in the Lord is not in vain.
In the end, and there will be an end (Praise you Lord!), this faith pilgrimmage is a choice, an hourly and daily active and intentional choice to BELIEVE.
My friend, today is already won.
I love you all. (don't know who's actually reading this, but the sentiment remains)

Pray for the heart of John. But so much more importantly PRAISE the Lord who has already claimed victory. He is not in the business of relinquishing what is already HIS.

He said to me. It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End.
To him who is thirsty I will give to drink without cost from the spring of the water of life.
Revelation 21:6