His Perfect Wave

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The warmth of the sun and the sand, along with the rhythmic movement of the ocean’s waves – just feet away – will easily lull the senses into a peace and calm not found many places. But as you lift your eyes and look out into the ocean you perceive a different story, one of tension and expansive movement.

Previously unnoticed a lone surfer has passed that calm warm sandy beach and persistently slogged through the shallow waves, reaching deeper and deeper. Soon, the only way to go further and deeper was to climb onto his surfboard and push against the pressures of the current. He continued his arduous outward endeavor, going further and further from shore. Seeming to either find the right place or just tiring out; he settles on the board – now sitting and surveying his newly acquired territory. Expecting him to stand and take each incoming wave, it is a wonder that he allows them, one by one to pass by as he waits. What is he waiting for? What is it he sees? How will he know the right one? When will he move forward?

These questions may never get answered for as if on queue, he slowly stands as a single – not so big – swell begins to form. He slowly lifts as the wave takes on a life of its own – growing in height and power. The sound of its approach is exhilarating. The waves upward movement, the slide forward and the beautiful delivery down to the waiting warm sand is exquisite. The surfer, like a dancer on a ballroom floor, sways with each move and sound that this incredible wave produces. This was the wave worth waiting for and this patient surfer reaped the joy found within her – riding this wave upward, forward and through the completion as he is delivered right out onto the warm sand. What a spectacular ride!

This picture of a very experienced surfer is played out differently as new surfers make many unsuccessful attempts to catch the perfect wave – getting dumped before they reach the top, being pulled under, and even eating and drinking both sand and salt water in the process. Learning the part that patience plays in this sport is what makes it worth the ride.

As we walk in our own life journey, it is much the same – learning to hear His voice, stepping out, moving forward and sometimes actually catching the “perfect” wave. His desire is to allow a spectacular ride – one where you wait, you listen, you stand and HE takes it from there. You ride with HIM as the wave moves up, slides forward and beautifully delivers you onto the waiting sand. When we find that rhythm – we can’t wait to slog back out, arduously paddle deeper, push further and further out, for we know as we wait patiently – His perfect wave of HIS plan, HIS direction, HIS purpose – for this ride – will come. And when it comes – WOW – it will be one spectacular ride.

Philippians 3: 13b-14 But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Photography courtesy of J.K.Sanchez Photography

Every Hair is Numbered

Our concerns are His concerns, and He is always faithful to encourage, strengthen and sometimes make us laugh. Yep – My God has a sense of humor and I love it.

I have very fine hair – never was one with a full lush voluptuous mane of hair – and as I have recently had to ingest a rather unpleasant medication, my fine hair is changing from “fine” to “thin”. For a woman – that is just not ok! Bald guys are handsome but NOT women.

As I commiserated over this issue with God, he reminded me of this scripture:

   Matthew 10:30. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered.

With relief, I smiled and chuckled – He really does care about what concerns me.

So, now as I watch a few hairs slide down the drain or several more become entangled in my brush, I can rest assured that He already knew they were on their way out. He is in charge of every hair – either on or off my head. And if He cares about a hair – how much more about every cell in my body.

So remember – your concerns (small or large) are His concerns – and He has them covered. Rest assured that He is faithful!

Freedom in Your “hodgepodge”!

We hear about “style” in all areas of our lives – clothing, decorating and even in cooking but what does that mean? There is no right or wrong, (REALLY – though some will disagree) it’s just different. It comes down to what you prefer – what makes you happy – what looks good to your eye – what brings life and freedom to your life.

In the midst of this style conscious world I have observed and questioned my oddity. But, I have a wonderful friend who’s decorating style is “minimalist” – I go into her home and it has a peaceful flow, clean and open. I love it! But, it’s not me. I’m not country, or contemporary, and surely not modern, so – maybe I don’t have one, and my hodgepodge style struggled on.

For years I have contemplated the word “hodgepodge” – a word my mom would use – sounding like a swear word. I have carried that “hodgepodge” like shame over my head – but it’s not wrong – it’s just different. I enjoy multiple types of wood furniture in the same room, different art pieces of every style and “clutter” treasures tucked here and there. It is funny, how a name changes everything! One day I found the word “eclectic” attached to a home decorating magazine and my heart skipped a beat – that’s me – I have a “named” style – I am eclectic! Wow – freedom!

Now I can enjoy, embrace and walk in my “style” freedom; finding freedom in who I am – in my hodgepodge. And now a recent example of this presented it’s self in my beautiful courtyard. Within our back yard, I have a secluded little courtyard – my secret garden, and I have it filled with pots and plants. As I originally designed it, I worked hard to keep the ceramic pots color coordinated, the plants all in shades of purples and blues with a touch of pink and white. It was nice, but now as those pots are overgrown they are ready to be re-done. Pondering this job, a freedom emerged and I am embracing my “eclectic” style and began choosing just what I like – I now will have reds, yellows, and oranges right there next to the blues, pinks and purples and I even added different colored pots.

Spiritually speaking – BE who you are – find true freedom in who HE has created you to be! Enjoy the walk exactly where you are and walk in that assignment. Your design, your purpose may be “hodgepodge” – enjoy it and find freedom in your difference.

I Corinthians 7:17a Only, as the Lord has assigned to each one, as God has called each, in this manner let him walk. (NASB)

John 8:32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free (ESV)

Extravagant Shopping – Just Ask

I am not a shopper – sorry ladies – I just am not. I have my list, go in, get it and out the door – I am a single-focused shopper. BUT there is one place that overwhelms me – and here, the dormant “shopper” gene erupts. There is a heavenly plant nursery near-by that is -that place – for me. When I arrive there, I walk in to this amazing paradise and every sense and desire stirs, and brings euphoric joy within me.

Over the years I have been lovingly forbidden to enter this paradise, unless finances are lucrative, since I never leave without “shopping” well. I have learned to wait, watch and ask for my desires – then my extravagant “shopping” happens.

Ephesians 3:20 Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us. (NASB)

 I know you are asking – what does “shopping” have to do with that scripture?

Just like the eventual extravagant “shopping” happens for me; our prayers – our desires and needs are extravagantly provided for because HE is able.

     HIM WHO IS ABLE – is my provider.

     HE does far more, abundantly beyond – that’s WAY more then I can ever ask for.

Often our thinking says that what we desire or need is just to small to ask God for or that we don’t matter enough – He won’t answer it; so we have not because we ask not. BUT that’s not who HE is – HE IS ABLE and HE loves you.

   HE wants to extravagantly pour out over your life – JUST ASK!

On The Road

In disappointment, confusion and hopelessness the miles to travel toward Emmaus left room for venting to one another. And then – along came a stranger that drew near and joined their walk. Not knowing whom this stranger was, the story of the origin of their sadness was poured out as they stopped in their tracks on this dusty road.   After much time together that day, they recognized him only as they sat to eat and he broke the bread, but then he was gone.

They said to each other, “Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?” Luke 24:32 (ESV)

Often clouded by disappointment, confusion and hopelessness – we too, don’t look up, don’t hear, and don’t see our savior right there on the dusty road with us. Today, He still comes along side – draws near – as we walk this difficult journey.  He still opens to us the scriptures and He still speaks words of comfort and encouragement through words that will burn within our hearts; they are found in a living book! There is only one book that can do that! It is alive and new every morning. The word of God – letters on a page – that open up to us the Kingdom of God.

How can that be?

No matter how many days, years or decades you have read this book – today it can burn within your heart a new understanding, a new revelation.   As we lift this book, read and allow the spirit of God to speak, it changes from words on a page (Graphe) to understanding (Logos) to revelation (Rhema) and transformation on that dusty road is eminent.

As you walk this road of life pick up his word! Allow His words to be opened up to you, to burn within your heart, to lift the heaviness that life has thrown at you; for it is here that you will find life, a life abundant.

Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. (ESV)

In The Palm Of His Hand

Last fall I planted a plethora of spring bulbs hoping for a beautiful show when the frost, snow and bone-chilling cold had begun to recede. As the ground began to warm, those bulbs began to respond. And much to my delight, the bright colored daffodils and tulips lifted my spirits as they bloomed.

It wasn’t until the tulips burst into fullness that I was overwhelmed by a spiritual similarity. These tulips had been buried 7 months – during the dark, wet, frozen winter they were not resting but being prepared for one single purpose! All that waiting had allowed strength and nourishment to marinate within them. At just the right time they would come forth and bring forth ONE single flower; ONE single flower that had one purpose for just a few precious weeks. That purpose – to shout of His glory – to shout of the coming of spring – to bring extravagant hope!

The size of these tulips amazed me – they were huge – their bowl base could fill the opened palm of my hand. And there you have it – in the palm of my hand.

         Isaiah 49:16a. Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands (ESV)

We too, are like that ONE single flower in the palm of our Father’s hand. Our beauty and purpose are single focused for His purpose. We too, go through times where we experience those months or years of dark, wet, frozen winter. However, when we rest in the palm of His hand and allow His preparation; we too, will come forth to that one single purpose. That one single purpose we were designed for – to shout of His glory – to shout of the coming of spring – to bring hope to the hopeless!

So if you are in that time where you feel buried – waiting in the dark, wet, frozen winter – take courage – for you are being prepared for that one singe purpose! The ground will warm and thaw; and you will burst forth into that single purpose for His glory. So rest and allow His strength and nourishment to marinate within you – get comfortable in the palm of your Father’s hand – He has you and He is faithful to accomplish all that He has started.

         Philippians 1:6 And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. (ESV)