As I sit and watch a bunch of young people preform a musical I see more than just a performance. I see those that are confident in who they are. Who have a confidence that allows them to not be bothered by those causing havoc around them, even on the stage. Those that despite being young men and somewhat of a childish song, still participate while others "check out" too cool for school. I see young women who's shoulders sag, with no eye contact but a downward head and soft, scared voices, dressed in darker colors hidden with some dark makeup. I see guys and girls that are completely comfortable with themselves so much that despite the fact the guys and girls are crammed together and touching each other makes no difference. But those that are whisked away in the attention of the other sex, completely distracted as they flirt with one another.
It's amazing as I sit in the audience and imagine all these people and where they will be in 10 years. Some doctors, lawyers, politicians, athletes, teachers, musicians, etc... some drop outs, and outcasts from our judgemental society. The behaviour, mannerisms and mindsets are already being founded in each of these young lives.
I see some almost falling asleep and I instantly think of the home life behind each of them. Do they sit around a table for dinner and have parents that care sincerely about their days? Do they care enough to send them to bed at a decent hour or just to their room where they can text till 2am in the morning?
As a fellow parent, we must step outside of our convenient society to reinforce in our youth, social, behavioural patterns that build in confidence, control and a relational attitude that will promote great communication. I don't believe our technological society is working together with us on that. BUT WE make the choice.
Our X box recently stopped working. It was a very sad moment for our 3 children, and yet we haven't bothered fixing it, knowing we could.... interesting enough, more books, talking, relationship building activities have taken place in the interim. :)
"Train up a child in the way they shall go and when they are old they will not depart from it." Proverbs 22:6 This can be good or bad. But let's not make light of this principle. The Creator has given us His wisdom here.
On another note, as I walk down from the 3rd floor in our church in our foyer, we have an enormous stairwell to the south. And across that wall on that floor as you're going down is a HUGE window. I would guess around 18 feet long. And as spring brings our sunshine for the first time I look out it and see an array of orchard, meticulously lined and in the background a huge snow capped mountain that literally goes from one end of the window to the other. And I simply smile and say, "Wow Lord. A window is simply the best art work I could purchase." Not only is this picture breathtaking, it will change weekly in view as the seasons change. YOU are so amazing. I LOVE it when I get the giggles to think who in their right mind would ever even attempt to compare with my God?? They certainly have lost their mind! :)
I love the way God reminds us of this in Isaiah.
Isaiah 40:25"To whom will you compare me? Or who is my equal?" says the Holy One.
I my Lord, will chose to compare you with no one. You have a realm all your own in my life, my heart and my mind but my prayer is not only will you know this but anyone else that looks upon my life shall know this witness to which I bear.
Smitten Unashamedly,
YOUR girl.
c
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Friday, March 5, 2010
Mom's Love Runs Deep, FATHER's Love Runs DEEPEST
I simply want to thank God that He would use me at Sunday's funeral. Despite the funeral taking place at the exact same time as the Canada Gold game, over 800, of which many were youth, made the choice to honor the 20 year old man Bryce, that was suddenly taken from us by a rip tide as he snorkeled while vacationing on the shores of Maui.
The pain I felt in my heart overwhelmed me for this family. When the service had ended and I led the grieving family out of the auditorium, it was all I could do to make it to my office and close the door before I deeply wept.
As I stood on the platform and addressed the great number of people I couldn't help but continue to be drawn to speak directly to the family that sat right in front of me. As I looked at Bryce's petite, gentle mother in front, her eyes drowning in pain and sorrow, I longed to reach for her, but I couldn't. I wanted to take it away for her. But I couldn't. I wanted to say, "It would be ok." But I couldn't.
Rather for a moment, right while I was speaking it was if the picture of Jesus hanging on the tree flashed in my heart and mind, and the way He looked upon His own pained and sorrowful mother while dying. And despite being in such excruciating pain, the needs and care of His mother, were so important to Him that even there He says, "John 19:26When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, "Dear woman, here is your son,"
Jesus is so tender and compassionate. Would you and I be thinking of our mother's needs at a time when we were just painfully crucified, bleeding, naked, pushing yourself up a bit on the nail that is pierced in your feet just long enough to whisper these words??? I'm embarrassed to admit it but I know I'd be wallowing in my own pain. :(
But my King, once again, inspires me. For even here He knows the painful loss when a child is ripped from their mother, and so suddenly was Jesus' death sprung on her, even though he talked of it freely for 3 years. Reality was here.
You and I think of dying, as did Bryce but not at 20 on vacation?? Reality was here.
As I looked at Bryce's mom... I literally could feel the pain in my heart long to give her a dear young man beside her that could be her son. Oh that somehow I could comfort her.
But grief must take it's course and that I know. We cannot rush it for then it will come back later in other ways, or harden our hearts in bitterness.
What I could give her though was the comfort and promise of God's word. For as I listened to our Lord during this time He reminded me there is something as strong as death. Song of Songs 8:6. "It is LOVE, Carrie." Tell her she doesn't ever need to stop loving. If anything the memories and love she has for Bryce can continue to flood her heart with joy. So I wonder how love can compete with the grave? But the 2nd part of that verse answers that too, saying "LOVE's jealousy is UNYIELDING as the grave". Wow... think on that. I LOVE IT!!!
Then to close it all off tying in the greatest love of all, GOD's. How He sees and knows all things, even where Bryce's body lies, which is painful for parents to think of at this point as it was not found in the ocean.
Then I wonder simply that Sunday morning before the funeral what verse exactly He wants me to speak to end the whole service. And then, literally a few hours before He gives me,
"For I am CONVINCED (you gotta imagine how passionately I said this verse) that NOTHING can ever separate us from his love. Death can't, and life can't. The angels won't, and all the power of hell itself cannot keep God's love away. Our fears for today, our worries about tomorrow, or where we are- high above the sky, or IN THE DEEPEST OCEAN - nothing will ever be able to separate us from the love of God demonstrated by our Lord Jesus Christ when he died for us." Romans 8:38
He has taught me how blessed I was to carry this grieve for those 6 days with this beloved family. I was even more blessed to have mom and dad ask to come in to see me the day after and sit, talk and cry together as they shared deepest parts of their hearts.
The "Thank you" they gave me I cannot express in words. I felt as if it was directly from God. And literally it has motivated me yet again, to give all I possibly can to share life with anyone He asks me to. For in sincere love, they feel, witness and sense something different. Something you can't buy.
Oh Father, continue to teach me to be your moldable vessel that I would yet number my days according to your will and your way. That you would powerfully fill me up continually with your love and that I would long to pour it out, O that many would know there truly is a God who loves them from the highest heaven to the deepest ocean.
The pain I felt in my heart overwhelmed me for this family. When the service had ended and I led the grieving family out of the auditorium, it was all I could do to make it to my office and close the door before I deeply wept.
As I stood on the platform and addressed the great number of people I couldn't help but continue to be drawn to speak directly to the family that sat right in front of me. As I looked at Bryce's petite, gentle mother in front, her eyes drowning in pain and sorrow, I longed to reach for her, but I couldn't. I wanted to take it away for her. But I couldn't. I wanted to say, "It would be ok." But I couldn't.
Rather for a moment, right while I was speaking it was if the picture of Jesus hanging on the tree flashed in my heart and mind, and the way He looked upon His own pained and sorrowful mother while dying. And despite being in such excruciating pain, the needs and care of His mother, were so important to Him that even there He says, "John 19:26When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, "Dear woman, here is your son,"
Jesus is so tender and compassionate. Would you and I be thinking of our mother's needs at a time when we were just painfully crucified, bleeding, naked, pushing yourself up a bit on the nail that is pierced in your feet just long enough to whisper these words??? I'm embarrassed to admit it but I know I'd be wallowing in my own pain. :(
But my King, once again, inspires me. For even here He knows the painful loss when a child is ripped from their mother, and so suddenly was Jesus' death sprung on her, even though he talked of it freely for 3 years. Reality was here.
You and I think of dying, as did Bryce but not at 20 on vacation?? Reality was here.
As I looked at Bryce's mom... I literally could feel the pain in my heart long to give her a dear young man beside her that could be her son. Oh that somehow I could comfort her.
But grief must take it's course and that I know. We cannot rush it for then it will come back later in other ways, or harden our hearts in bitterness.
What I could give her though was the comfort and promise of God's word. For as I listened to our Lord during this time He reminded me there is something as strong as death. Song of Songs 8:6. "It is LOVE, Carrie." Tell her she doesn't ever need to stop loving. If anything the memories and love she has for Bryce can continue to flood her heart with joy. So I wonder how love can compete with the grave? But the 2nd part of that verse answers that too, saying "LOVE's jealousy is UNYIELDING as the grave". Wow... think on that. I LOVE IT!!!
Then to close it all off tying in the greatest love of all, GOD's. How He sees and knows all things, even where Bryce's body lies, which is painful for parents to think of at this point as it was not found in the ocean.
Then I wonder simply that Sunday morning before the funeral what verse exactly He wants me to speak to end the whole service. And then, literally a few hours before He gives me,
"For I am CONVINCED (you gotta imagine how passionately I said this verse) that NOTHING can ever separate us from his love. Death can't, and life can't. The angels won't, and all the power of hell itself cannot keep God's love away. Our fears for today, our worries about tomorrow, or where we are- high above the sky, or IN THE DEEPEST OCEAN - nothing will ever be able to separate us from the love of God demonstrated by our Lord Jesus Christ when he died for us." Romans 8:38
He has taught me how blessed I was to carry this grieve for those 6 days with this beloved family. I was even more blessed to have mom and dad ask to come in to see me the day after and sit, talk and cry together as they shared deepest parts of their hearts.
The "Thank you" they gave me I cannot express in words. I felt as if it was directly from God. And literally it has motivated me yet again, to give all I possibly can to share life with anyone He asks me to. For in sincere love, they feel, witness and sense something different. Something you can't buy.
Oh Father, continue to teach me to be your moldable vessel that I would yet number my days according to your will and your way. That you would powerfully fill me up continually with your love and that I would long to pour it out, O that many would know there truly is a God who loves them from the highest heaven to the deepest ocean.
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