Those Daffodils

I have been thinking about my Dad today…

But why, I ask?

 It has been 16 years since he has been around.

Well, I believe it was those yellow daffodils

 I picked this morning on this dreary first day of spring

Every year on my Dad’s birthday, April 4^th,

 My mother would make him a hickory nut cake for his birthday,

And then she would look for those first daffodils, so she could decorate the cake with them. 

And then today, as I was sitting across the table from my son,

 I saw my Dad’s blue eyes…

Lord, I said,

Why all these memories today on this 5^th day of the flu for me.

And as I asked Him,

I knew…

I knew that these memories of my Dad were stirring up so many more memories of him.

Memories of things I had never sat down and appreciated, been grateful for…in the moment.

But now…as I look back…I see the bigger picture…and I am so grateful.

I am so grateful for his faith, his prayers, that he imparted to me.

I am thankful for the moment by moment teaching and example lessons, as I watched his life

His life of faithfulness, steadfastness and his virtues of perseverance, hard work and honesty.

I am thankful for his love for my mother,

 I remember him talking so highly of her

 And after a long day of work in the fields, taking her in his arms and telling her she was beautiful.

Oh, as usual, not everything was great…

But it really doesn’t matter anymore…

Because when I look back with gratitude,

 And see again the love that my father poured into his family and all those around him…

The difficult times can’t be seen!

It is good to look back and remember…and see the bigger picture.

Someday, I will look back on my circumstances of today

And be overwhelmed with the picture I see,

The picture of a faithful, loving God who is always kind,

Always working all things for my good…

Thank you Lord for the memories,

For the brilliant color of daffodils that brought these memories today,

Reminding me of Your faithfulness and goodness!                                                                                                                                                 

Bursting Forth

"Like the crocus, it will burst into bloom...blossom profusely and rejoice with rejoicing and shouts of
 joy." Isaiah 35:2

All at once that purple crocus burst forth from the ground outside my front door.
It burst through the hard brown cold dirt and revealed this brilliant color.
It burst through and revealed its glory, the treasure that was hidden from my eyes all winter long...
It burst forth with purpose.
Purpose that was placed there by the Father as He gave it life.
This purpose was hidden for months...
But suddenly, without warning, that bulb burst forth this beautiful flower,
And the purpose intended for this created flower was fulfilled
As I picked it this morning and displayed it in my bathroom
Delighted with the promise of spring, of flowers, of beauty, of new life, 
Delighted with the return of the joy of the garden again...

Just like this little crocus,
God's plans and purposes will very surely burst through...
Even though it is not visible to my eyes... at this moment...
All His promises are true,
And He who has begun a good work...
Will bring it to pass.
And yes...joy will resound
As the glory of the Lord, His resurrection power, His restoration and return...
Are experienced and observed.

Eyes of Faith

Eyes of faith focus in Jesus name.
I need eyes of faith to see what You are doing in this circumstance,
I need eyes of faith to override all my emotions,
I need eyes of faith to remember what is TRUTH.

I need eyes of faith to lead me to Your eyes Jesus
Your eyes of love that melt my heart
Until I can feel Your arms of love that have always been wrapped around me...

Thank you Lord for restoring my eyes of faith....
And for giving me eyes of faith that allow me to see You leading me forward...
In victory...with my hand in Yours!

Hope Returns

My friend,
Are you finding it hard to hope today...

After all...
The news that looms in front of you is not comforting,
Or maybe the nighttime was a nightmare of insomnia again...
Or the demands ahead of you today appear so overwhelming...

Precious one,
The unfailing love of the Lord has not ended...
His mercies are FRESH for you today!

Look into the eyes of this One who loves you completely,
And be encouraged...
He has goodness for you today.
Quietly believe...and allow Him to fill you with His strength for the day,
His vision of the circumstance...

Let His peace invade your heart...

After all,
He is big enough, strong enough, wise enough
To defeat that mountain of despair...that mountain that looms so accusingly before you.

His heart is full of abundant love for you...

Open your mouth, dear one,
And sing...
Sing His praises
And you will see your hope return as you look to Him!!!

Oh What a Day It Will Be

Oh What a day it will be
When the revelation is discovered,
The light turned on,
When that dear one...
Who has wandered onto that hard, worn, path of searching, confusion, and darkness...
Who has believed in their heart
That they no longer believe...no longer are the righteousness of Christ,
No longer are worthy of His love, His help...

What a day it will be...when they discover the truth,
That they are royalty,
They have always been loved,
And the Father's arms are stretched open wide... to receive...
Yes, even now.

On that day of discovery...
They will return...
And the Lord will plant them in His land of promise,
His land of promise, flowing with milk and honey.
The honey of the knowledge of His love, the knowledge of His care,
The milk and honey of His Word, His truth, His promises...

Oh what a day it will be
When they realize that their Father
Never left them...never rejected them...never held an offense against them...

Oh what a day it will be
As they allow the Father's embrace
To plant them again...in the rich soil of TRUTH,
Where they can see and know they are royalty, the precious one...
The one the Father delights in...

Yes...they will know that they are the beloved,
The beloved one they always had longed to be...
Perfectly loved and accepted,
A child of God,
A son/daughter of the King...royal...chosen...clean...
Destined for great things!

"What a day it will be when God will again plant His people in His land." Hosea 1:11

Triumphant Joy

You are leading me here God
To triumphant joy,
To the triumphant joy of the lovers of God,
Who see Your smile
Feel your Presence
Know you are exceedingly good.

You are leading me here...to triumphant joy
Not just joy...but triumphant joy,
Where I know all is well
Because You are big and I am exceedingly loved!

Your truth leads me here, Father...
When I really believe that I am loved...
And that You are who You say You are...

The triumphant joy of the lovers of God
Who sing and shout Your praises....
Release joy into the atmosphere...

And the joy turns into a weapon of God
Exposing the snare,
The trap, the lie, the empty promises of the enemy
And the plans that the enemy built to destroy...
Crumble...
And the great glory of the Lord is released!

Going forth in triumphant joy...
Joy, our secret weapon...

Let's release it today!

The Grace Shadow vs the Shadow of Condemnation

Dear friend,

Are you sitting under the grace shadow
Or are you sitting under the shadow of condemnation?

Under the grace shadow,
There is life, acceptance, extravagant love, hope, restoration.
This shadow transforms, encourages, strengthens,
Yes, under this shadow,
You see God as joyful, happy, smiling, good...

What a contrast to the shadow of condemnation.
The shadow of condemnation reveals a God who is angry, upset, mad, hard to please...
This shadow highlights your failure
Reminding you of how you have tried, but failed.
This shadow constantly points an accusing finger at your sin
This shadow moans with striving, and disguises itself with "religion."

The grace shadow is the gift that the Father wants to give you.
He gave His Son to make a way
For you to be free from the power of sin, the condemnation, the accusations and guilt.
He provided the grace shadow with His suffering love
So you could be righteous...
Not because of anything righteous you have done,
But because of what He has done as He made a way for you on the cross.

Yes, the grace shadow
Shouts the good news of the gospel,
The good news of His finished work,
 The good news of the One who loves you completely.

Thank you Father for your grace shadow!