A Wordless Wednesday: He decided to get into the picture

Arrrrrrr!

The Tiny Guard (365 Word: Weak)

As I sat outside on a cool summer morn, I was reminded that little doesn't mean weak and wimpy.
 I know because I was entertained for 20 minutes as I gazed at a fierce, miniature watchmen.

Scarcely a true guard I know...three inches but courageous and tenacious. He is a David among giants; standing up to creatures even 10 times as large as him. I don't even know if this Rufous Hummingbird realizes his potential, or if he has faith or even needs to, but he fights for a  nourishment he deems precious.

Then, he returns over and over to a skinny limb after chasing his adversaries. 

The pint-sized soldier I am talking about.

 And I giggle, not out of disrespect, but out of admiration and with affection...and the fact that I actually doubted (with pride, yuck) that this copper-colored, burnt-orange hummer could teach me anything. I listened with my heart though as God used this little bird to pop my bubble:

1. Before a battle, and in order to endure the battle, one must refresh and fill up on nectar (God's word).

2. During and after a battle, I need to rest in a consistently safe place (In the arms of my Lord, Jesus). Even when I am weak...

3. No matter what God asks me to do, size or talent or strength or weakness won't matter...what matters is fulfilling the purpose God has created me for. God can do what he says he can do. His plans will succeed and I will find satisfaction doing his will.

4.That standing up for what I know to be true and valuable is worth any discomfort or waiting I am experiencing because I know that it won't last forever. I know what awaits me in forever.

Can you relate to any of the above? Do you ever feel too weak, or little or ill-equipped?

      

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Five-Minute Friday: Broken

He comes down the stairs heavy hearted with his head hanging as low as possible. He says, " I broke it." I know he was messing around and it is his fault, but God doesn't rub my mistakes in my face so I tell him, "Sometimes that happens...things break down."

No sooner do those words come out that my heart is heavy. 

I have one of those moments where God uses my own words to my son to speak to me: things break down... 

There are so many possessions that decay, but the deterioration of a relationship grieves me most. I think the withering started when I was child, but no matter how many times I tried to revive, reconcile or fix this relationship...God was wanting me to let it be broken. To give him this fractured connection.

A couple of years ago, I gave him this broken lineage with much trepidation because it felt foreign to let this remain broken-humanly speaking.  I can't convey words easily that explain how this giving away has been for me, but I know that the Lords got this and I will let things go, whether broken or not, to Him.

What broken things do you need to give to God?

Linking up happily today at Facebook with Lisa-Jo Baker! Go here to join the blog party!

When someone needs to stand in the gap on behalf of and you are willing.

There's someone I know who is in deep trouble. 

Someone who needs help, but isn't asking. Like a large hole in an airplane where the pressure is pulling everything and everyone with it...is the kind of trouble where someone needs to stand in the gap on behalf of and I am willing.

As a matter of fact, I am more than willing. I strongly desire to see this person changed so much so that it has cost me emotional pain, but I won't give up. It is worth it because trusting and living in relationship with God is worth it...to see God move...to see this someone's anger and pride lessened with joy and humility instead ignites determination down to my core.

As Moses interceded for the Israelites when they sinned greatly against the Lord (Exodus 32:30-32 NIV), I intercede daily for this person. Mostly, I pray for a changed heart. I am not Jesus, the one who atoned our sins...I cannot save this person from their trouble. 

I can only beg God to give this individual an undivided heart and put a spirit in him; remove the heart of stone and replace it with a heart of flesh-Ezekiel 11:19 NIV

   image borrowed from http://www.jacksmithprophecy.org

When we all need an umbrella

There are times in life when nothing is wrong or going wrong and yet anger or sadness or fill in the blank seeps into the head or heart. A uncontrollable-out of nowhere emotion or thought threaten, but we don't know why. Seriously, it might feel like insanity.
And then there are instances of real grief or trials or problems.

Either way...this is when we all need an umbrella; Something or someone to cover our humanness:

   

An umbrella to protect and never tire,

hope without despair,

courage instead of fear,

comfort and not answers,

sureness in spite of doubt,

encouragement and less criticism.

Moments when we just need someone to listen, understand and care. A two-way, unconditional relationship. If we close our eyes, if we forget who we've been and worry less about appearances, perhaps we won't miss what we long so deeply for: something, someone that satisfies and is everlasting.

     

I have ever only found that something is this someone: Jesus