As I look around me, I see so many people staggering at what they see in the news. I am not making light of their concern. Many people are experiencing real difficulty. Many have lost jobs and homes, and have very grave concerns about their futures. I also have experienced some turbulence in the last year as we have faced many of those same challenges. You know that saying, "Tough times never last. Tough people do." I can say from experience that it is true. It all depends on your perspective.
It is important to anchor your thoughts, and to decide the outcome in advance. Psalm 34: 19 "Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all." At the very outset of trouble, it is important to determine that you will not cower in fear, but you will come out of trouble. Verse 4 of the same chapter says "I sought the Lord and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears." That is the point I am trying to make. It is not the actual circumstance that has so many paralyzed; it is the fear of the circumstance. They see others lose their jobs, and immediately are convinced that they will be next. Did you ever notice that whenever an angel of the Lord, or the Lord himself appeared to someone in the Bible he said "Fear Not!"? Whenever the children of Israel came against an enemy, often a larger and more heavily armed enemy, the Lord would say, "Fear Not!"
Fear will take you where you don't want to go. It will open the very doors you don't want opened. It will close the door to help. And, it will shut down your creativity and blind you to new possibilities and opportunities. We cannot give any place to fear.
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Monday, December 29, 2008
A Dazzling Climb
Spring faded into summer, and then fall, and now I find myself in the middle of winter. It has been a long time since I have written. I had planned to write daily. Almost without realizing it my life took over, I found the road a little steeper, and the elements a bit more of a nuisance. I found that I had allowed the strenuous climb to distract me from the priorities I had set. I wanted an outlet to crystallize my thoughts, to find the insights that are so often hidden below the surface. I wanted to open up to my friends and maybe offer a little encouragement and advice along the way. I would still like to do that. We can enjoy the scenery together, find the roads less traveled, and share some valid insights. I have found that even if the road becomes more challenging, the scenery can still be extraordinarily beautiful. The higher the altitude, the farther you can see. And if you choose to seek God's help and direction; He has a map. So, let's try this again, shall we?
Monday, June 2, 2008
Honeysuckle Moments
Living here in the Ozarks, I see beautiful scenery nearly every day. The rolling hills, springs, bluffs, waterfalls, trees, lakes and meadows all offer amazing vistas. A drive to town can be a glorious experience, as at the top of the next hill or around the next curve a delightful view is waiting to awake my senses. Springtime in the Ozarks is a visual feast. Red bud, Magnolia, Dogwood, Forsythia, Lilac, and numerous other flowering species are all bursting out of their winter sleep to reveal Spring's majesty. Birds are returning to build their nests, offering me a treat as I drink my morning tea. Even at night there are interesting things to behold. A deer coming to the bubbling brook for a drink. The red fox scurrying across the road on his nightly foray for a snack. I endeavor to make note of these marvels and to be thankful for the landscape around me.
However; sometimes I don't see the tapestry laid out before me. I am too busy rushing around, depositing children at this appointment or that. I am too distracted to see the abundance all about me. My mind is focused on my to do lists and the deadlines and appointments on my schedule. I am a robot on auto-pilot methodically completing my tasks. The beauty around me is obscured by the stress that I feel as I am pressed to meet every one's expectations. Much of the pressure is internal as my lists usually contain more that I can accomplish in a day.
It was a day such as this last week as I was dashing hither and yon. I had dropped my daughter off at work had run some other errands and was heading back home. I had just crossed the bridge over the lake. I hadn't noticed the scenery. The boats, the fisherman, the gulls were all there, I am sure they were, they always are. I had not noticed the pattern of the waves or the fountains and fire at the Landing. I had noticed and been annoyed by the traffic. I was numbly driving along. I wasn't conscious of any real thought.
I was just trying to get home. Trying to get to a place where I could rest. I got to the stoplight on my side of the bridge. Waiting, waiting. Turn green already. Okay, now let's go. Go! I said. I turned the corner and started up the hill, I was now back in my distracted fog. Not noticing the beauty of the vine and wildflower bedecked bluff beside me, not noticing the lake on the other side of me. Just driving. Then it happened. A sweet smell met my nose. It was light and faint and then stronger. Honeysuckle! Mmmm! I love the smell of Honeysuckle.
The light, sweet smell of Honeysuckle. It isn't jarring or harsh, it doesn't shake you. It just wafts through the air and tickles your olfactory nerves. It says "Hello, I'm here." I was arrested by this unassuming fragrance. I wanted to stop, to find some, to pluck it, and take it with me. I scanned the bluff beside me, there it was. In full bloom, an amazing quantity. Wow!
I had to keep driving. No where to pull off. But, everything had changed. I was no longer numbly driving along. I was no longer in a sub- irritated, get- it- done and get- it- over- with mindset. I was suddenly free. My thoughts were lifted. I was now cognisant of the beauty around me. I now saw the bluff, the lake, the fountains on the other side. I now saw everything in a new light. This wasn't just another ordinary day.
This experience took me to an even deeper revelation. Not just of smells and sights; but of the condition of my heart. Here I was rushing around, numbly trying to complete my obligations, and not only was I not involved with my surroundings, but I was not involved with my heart. I was in a disconnected, distracted, and unconscious state. I was not listening for cues or instructions from the Lord who shares this house I live in. I was in a chaotic, yet mindless state.
As the Honeysuckle caressed my senses, I was aware of another Presence. This Presence too, was light and sweet, not jarring and demanding. He spoke to me in gentle tones. "I'm here." "I can help." "I am available." "I would like to spend some time with you." These subtle reminders brought home to me what we forfeit when we don't look to Him continually for strength, for guidance, and for fellowship.
Paul's admonition to the Thessalonians to "Pray without ceasing" included more that the occasional ardent prayer session. He was speaking of the practice of opening your heart to God on a moment by moment basis. Allowing Him access to your inner-workings and decision making processes. He desires fellowship, communication, and communion with us all the time. Just think how much less stress we would experience, and how much more success in our endeavors if we took the time to get His input and wisdom.
Wishing you Honeysuckle moments of your own!
Shauna Bagenstos
However; sometimes I don't see the tapestry laid out before me. I am too busy rushing around, depositing children at this appointment or that. I am too distracted to see the abundance all about me. My mind is focused on my to do lists and the deadlines and appointments on my schedule. I am a robot on auto-pilot methodically completing my tasks. The beauty around me is obscured by the stress that I feel as I am pressed to meet every one's expectations. Much of the pressure is internal as my lists usually contain more that I can accomplish in a day.
It was a day such as this last week as I was dashing hither and yon. I had dropped my daughter off at work had run some other errands and was heading back home. I had just crossed the bridge over the lake. I hadn't noticed the scenery. The boats, the fisherman, the gulls were all there, I am sure they were, they always are. I had not noticed the pattern of the waves or the fountains and fire at the Landing. I had noticed and been annoyed by the traffic. I was numbly driving along. I wasn't conscious of any real thought.
I was just trying to get home. Trying to get to a place where I could rest. I got to the stoplight on my side of the bridge. Waiting, waiting. Turn green already. Okay, now let's go. Go! I said. I turned the corner and started up the hill, I was now back in my distracted fog. Not noticing the beauty of the vine and wildflower bedecked bluff beside me, not noticing the lake on the other side of me. Just driving. Then it happened. A sweet smell met my nose. It was light and faint and then stronger. Honeysuckle! Mmmm! I love the smell of Honeysuckle.
The light, sweet smell of Honeysuckle. It isn't jarring or harsh, it doesn't shake you. It just wafts through the air and tickles your olfactory nerves. It says "Hello, I'm here." I was arrested by this unassuming fragrance. I wanted to stop, to find some, to pluck it, and take it with me. I scanned the bluff beside me, there it was. In full bloom, an amazing quantity. Wow!
I had to keep driving. No where to pull off. But, everything had changed. I was no longer numbly driving along. I was no longer in a sub- irritated, get- it- done and get- it- over- with mindset. I was suddenly free. My thoughts were lifted. I was now cognisant of the beauty around me. I now saw the bluff, the lake, the fountains on the other side. I now saw everything in a new light. This wasn't just another ordinary day.
This experience took me to an even deeper revelation. Not just of smells and sights; but of the condition of my heart. Here I was rushing around, numbly trying to complete my obligations, and not only was I not involved with my surroundings, but I was not involved with my heart. I was in a disconnected, distracted, and unconscious state. I was not listening for cues or instructions from the Lord who shares this house I live in. I was in a chaotic, yet mindless state.
As the Honeysuckle caressed my senses, I was aware of another Presence. This Presence too, was light and sweet, not jarring and demanding. He spoke to me in gentle tones. "I'm here." "I can help." "I am available." "I would like to spend some time with you." These subtle reminders brought home to me what we forfeit when we don't look to Him continually for strength, for guidance, and for fellowship.
Paul's admonition to the Thessalonians to "Pray without ceasing" included more that the occasional ardent prayer session. He was speaking of the practice of opening your heart to God on a moment by moment basis. Allowing Him access to your inner-workings and decision making processes. He desires fellowship, communication, and communion with us all the time. Just think how much less stress we would experience, and how much more success in our endeavors if we took the time to get His input and wisdom.
Wishing you Honeysuckle moments of your own!
Shauna Bagenstos
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