"I have learned to kiss the wave..."

A gift FAITH, FAMILY, & FREEDOM...


"I have learned to kiss the wave that throws me against the Rock of Ages" - Spurgeon

My attention grabbed, this thought has played over in my mind as I've gone about the day's activities. At first, my soul cries out "Yes!"
Then I chew it some more and wonder "Do I really kiss the wave?" "Do I embrace it with affection? This hard thing that tosses me about?"
Some hard waves have taught me truths about Him. I have embraced those truths. Is embracing the truth kissing the wave?

I meet my darling for lunch. I share this thought I've been savouring. In the busy food court tears run down. We share food... physically and spiritually.

Why did I embrace the truth? I ponder motives... Was it to make my life better? Was I trying to eliminate the hard thing? Moving away from pain rather than towards reward?

Continuing to move through the list of jobs, I pick up working son. We share about our days and then share spiritual. We savour together.

The Rock of Ages...the safe place...the solid place in times of difficulty. Do I go there to meet my need or because I am so overwhelmed with the love of God? "God loves everybody, therefore God loves me"...is this my belief? Or is it "As a person who finds their treasure in God I am overcome with the depth and richness of His love for me. A love that involves every part of my life and who I am"? More chewing...

Family together at day's end...laughter, talking, eating, enjoying. The food being digested all day is shared and broken down some more. Each taking what they need. Physical rest and spiritual growth as night comes.

A clear night ...cool wind. I enjoy the bejeweled sky. Such brilliance...sparkling at me. I am awed. A moment just Him and I. I feel His invitation to abandon myself to His love...to throw myself willingly against the Rock of Ages. He has my heart.

~~~~~

"1000 GIFTS"...

#117  The love of an awesome God - FAITH

#118  A family that shares openly - FAMILY

#119  The freedom to share - FREEDOM

#120  Birds singing all kinds of songs this morning

#121  Warmth of the sun

#122  Physical exertion in the garden

#123  Phone calls to loved ones

#124  Beautiful colours in flowers

3 GIFTS EATEN

 A year ago, today, we were given the diagnosis of Osgood Schlatter Disease for the pain and bumps in youngest son's knees.
"There is nothing that we can do for you. Manage the pain best you can. He may or may not grow out of it in a year or so."
Cold comfort for a 14yr old boy who loves basketball as much as his two older brothers. And when his uncle still suffers from it in his 50's it wasn't looking hopeful.
Basketball had to be curbed. Running must be curbed. Climbing stairs, even getting out of a chair, causes him pain.
Dad has always taught the kids to make the most of every situation...to laugh whenever possible, especially at yourself. Here was youngest son's test.
Youngest son has not given up his beloved sport. Instead, he has developed a whole new set of skills to increase his court time. When he's not on the court he encourages his team from the benches. He makes a joke of his 'gumby knees' and everyone laughs along with him while making room for him. Every day he comes home from basketball and immediately attends to his poor knees with ice packs and elevation.
This morning, with a big smile, he announced, "My 'twins' are having their birthday today, Mum. I'm such a proud parent." I am impressed with his positiveness in spite of the constant pain. He should be proud...proud of his ability to laugh at himself. Proud of his ability to find ways to still be a part of his team. Proud of his attitude. Proud of a test passed with flying colours.


So, to celebrate their birthday I baked his favourite chocolate cake.
He's a winner!

"1000 gifts"...

#78  Phone call to let me know she's OK
#79  Order in the bathroom
#80  Finding an 'enjoy' sign to enjoy
#80  A quiet day finding order
#81  Referred clients
#82  Boys laughing together
#83  Kindness cleaning the freezer for me
#84  Strong arms giving me a hug on his return home
#85  Swapping recipes on twitter
#86  Due to my forgetting to turn the slow cooker on, dinner is already prepared for tomorrow night

3 GIFTS FOUND AROUND A TABLE

My table...
meals, birthdays, schoolwork, crafts, ...
sharing, discussions, expanding ideas, ...
laughter, tears, acceptance, belonging, ...

Nurture happens around the table. Nurture of the body, mind, soul and spirit. My table...One of the greatest tools I have.

Jesus used the table. When He called them, all of His disciples were 'once-born-only' rather than 'palingenesia' - spiritually reborn from above. For a period of three years they came and went from His table. He cooked them a fish breakfast. He fed them on the mountain with miracle bread and fish from heaven. He shared a final meal with them around a table. For three years He fed their minds with new ideas of a kingdom. He demonstrated the Father to them. And they ate...

with grateful thanks Loma Photography©

What happened when He left?
One rejected and betrayed Him.
One vowed to follow but quickly ran into his own limitations.
One ran away naked not even stopping for clothes.
The rest just disappeared and hid.


Time happens...

The one who vowed to follow made those Jesus'-values His own and was the first to take the gospel to the Gentiles.
One by one the others all came back ... revelations in their hearts ... committed to their martyrdom.
His values now their's to live and pass on.

Discipled at His table.

Who is at my table?...